President Denise Haynes rang the bell – joyously – for the first time! Our moving invocation was given by Claudia Stepanovich and it set the tone for a new, all-inclusive, harmonious Rotary year. Flag salute was led by Claudia’s other half, Mike Stepanovich. Our new song leaders, the Georges, led us in a rousing version of Pharrell’s song “Happy,” which continues the harmonious Rotary year, pun intended. President Denise then introduced her version of “stepping up to the plate” by using a step stool to be a bit more visible to the audience.
Jerry Starr welcomed visiting Rotarians: Tom Gordon from West, Christy Swatzell from East, Jeanie Tunnicliffe from Twilight, and Carl Leech, a BBRC Past President and Honorary member. Becky introduced Jarred, Jackie Maxwell introduced Tom Roddy, and then Denise introduced members of her family who were celebrating her inaugural meeting: parents Sharon and Gerald Patterson, daughter Jacquelyn Sprague, husband Scott, mother-in-law Celeste Haynes, and son Darrin Haynes and his fiancé. Her other guest was Howie Wass.
Celebrations: Craig and Carol Holland are celebrating 47 years of marriage by buying a new house! Gail Braze was the sole Happy Birthday song recipient. Denise also mentioned that next month her parents will be celebrating 60 years of marriage. Past President Neil Walker sent Denise an apologetic email for missing her initial meeting, and felt this apology should exempt him from fines. Club membership disagreed but made a suggestion that he could be fine-free for 6 months at the cost of $50 or a year for $100. Hmmm…. Interesting suggestion. Also, Becky Brooks was “recognized” for coming to the Petroleum Club on July 5 – and actually arriving early – but Denise fined her for not reading BBRC emails to know that July 5th was dark. Later in the meeting, Dan Johnson fined himself $25 for forgetting the bell that is clanged to begin each meeting.
Denise made her first plug for District Conference in Ventura on October 6 – 8. She proceeded to give an overview of what this year will look like. RI’s President Riseley has a theme, “Making a Difference.” District 5240’s DG Weiss has a theme, “Celebrate Rotary.” BBRC’s theme is “Fit for Rotary.” This includes physical, mental, and emotional fitness and each meeting will have some type of “fitness” activity. Each member is strongly being encouraged to participate in-person in a minimum of one service project throughout the year. Also, RI President Riseley is hoping each Rotary member will plant at least one tree. Denise pointed out that our San Miguel project will help a lot in this area. Vocationally, we will embrace and share our professions and support and network with our professional members. (P.S. Denise still needs a Vocational Service chairperson.) Ron Nelms, Foundation Chair, will share Foundation moments with membership on a regular basis. Paul Harris Points drawings will continue and the 50/50 will return! Speakers will be moved up in the timing of the meetings so more people will be able to listen instead of leaving for work. Program topics will be from membership suggestions gathered over the last several months. Denise wants to form a By-Laws Committee since RI has made some by-law changes recently. There will also be “State-of-the-Club” meetings each quarter when the Directors will give updates of their areas. Again, she reminded us of the “Fit for Rotary” moment at each meeting.
To introduce her Board, Denise made a quick costume change and invited us all to the front. We assembled to the “Rocky Theme” song. Current Board members are listed on the front page of the Beacon that you’re reading, so I won’t list them again.
While preparing for the slide show from Atlanta which due to technical difficulties, will be shown at a future meeting), Denise shared that her brother-in-law, Jeff, is in Hawaii and she told him NOT to bring her chocolate-covered macadamia nuts since she can buy them here. However, for future Presidential “bribes/gifts,” she mentioned she collects bells, frogs, blown glass, and her favorite color is purple (although her inaugural dress was red). But please bring a flag from any meeting in any part of the world that you may attend. Our “Fit for Rotary” moment involved stretching our neck all ways – while staying in our chairs! Paul Harris points were won by new member Karen Bonanno and yours truly won the first 50/50 of the year. Denise thanked greeters Teresa Waller and Heather and Wyatt Ward. Next week’s speaker is member Ken Beurmann who will speak on “Managing Millennials,” which should be very interesting to us non-millennials. Meeting was adjourned with a final clang of the Presidential bell.
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