Rotary President 2019-20 Chan Tyrrell presented highlights of the 2019-20 Rotary year - the accomplishments, celebrations and the challenges.
The Rotary International theme for 2019-20 was Rotary Connects the World and we found many ways to connect - from events and activities to the move to meet online.
We can all be proud of our involvement in all of the activities of the club. A few highlights:
- - District Conference - held during the 2019-20 Rotary Year but celebrating accomplishments during the 2018-19 Rotary Year. Lincoln South Rotary Club was recognized in many ways - Rotary International Significant Service Award, Overall Outstanding Club Project, #1 Club in the District, #1 in Per Capita Giving to The Rotary Foundation Annual Fund, and Suzanne Tyrrell was awarded with the Outstanding Club President award.
- - We are known for our outstanding speakers and programs; we often have community leaders, hold special events and then we converted to zoom meeting format and have speakers who are reaching us virtually
- - We celebrate Christmas in many ways - our traditional Christmas Party was at the Herdman's house, we had a special Holiday meeting in place of our regular meeting, and we joined the Lincoln East Rotary Club annual party this year
- - The Rotary Club Presidents of the clubs in Lincoln met regularly and were all asked to present at the Lincoln 14 Rotary Club meeting
- - The Lincoln South Rotary Club Foundation Wine Tasting events was at the McLains and provided a grant to the Cub Scouts to provide camping equipment for underprivileged youth
- - We provided scholarships of $1,000 each to three students entering college
- - 5 New Members joined our club during the 2019-20 Rotary Year
- - Nancy Herdman was recognized with the Excellence in Service to Humanity Award; this is presented to no more than 150 non-Rotarians for their support of Rotary
- - We continue to be a strong supporter of The Rotary Foundation and added two new Paul Harris Fellows last year - Bruce Remington and Audrey Richert
- - The four Rotary Clubs in Lincoln work together on the Dictionary Project to deliver dictionaries to every 4th grade student in the City
- - We supported the UNL Rotaract Club, especially in their effort to raise $18,000 to provide wheelchairs to The Ivory Coast; they met their goal this year which was a tremendous challenge and involved multiple years and turnover of members and officers; the fundraising was student-driven
- - Lincoln South Rotary and Lincoln East Rotary shared to support a family through Lynette's Angels; Christmas gifts were provided to a family of four - the Mom / Wife was battling breast cancer; through the program the family is able experience some of the joys of Christmas without concern for time or expense of shopping
- - We held a fundraiser for Polio Plus - Strike Out Polio with the Saltdogs; this was done along with the other Rotary Clubs in Lincoln and Fairbury Rotary
Rotarians of the Year
Chan announced that, as President, one of the things he is able to do is select a Rotarian of the Year. This year he wanted to recognize all of the Lincoln South Rotary Club Members that volunteer for the Meals on Wheels.
21% of our Members are part of the delivery teams that provide a much-needed service in our community. Read the thank you from Tabitha in a separate article.
Chan "virtually" passed the gavel and Club President Pin to Dave.
Rotary President 2020-21 Dave Dietz gave us a preview of the 2020-21 Rotary Year.
The Rotary International theme for 2020-21 is Rotary Opens Opportunities. As we come out of this pandemic, we will surely see that there are new opportunities for Rotary.
Dave pointed out that our Rotary Club is great because of the members, giving back, being involved, caring and having fun. He stated that we are the #1 Club in the District (tracked through the Club Profile program) because we have good membership growth, we support The Rotary Foundation Annual Fund and Polio Plus, we participate in District Events and, again, we enjoy the fellowship of Rotary.
He said that he believes strongly in acting with integrity in all things and shared this quote:
“A life lived with integrity – even if it lacks the trappings of fame and fortune is a shining star in whose light others may follow in the years to come.” - - Denis Waitley
Some of Dave's goals and activities:
•INCREASE MEMBERS – Current members 50
•HAVE ONE SOCIAL/FUND RAISING EVENT
•CHRISTMAS PARTY
•SUPPORT LINCOLN FOOD BANK – December
•SUPPORT THE ROTARY INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION – Goal $14,000
•SUPPORT POLIO-PLUS – Goal $3,300
•SUPPORT RYLA
•SUPPORT ROTARACT
•SUPPORT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
•TRIBUTE TO FIRST RESPONDERS – October 2021