President Jim spoke of the past year's challenges and successes. Jim thanked the club members, officers, and his very supportive wife, Claire, who he dubbed an honorary Rotarian for all of her volunteerism conducted this year. Jim thanked Lisa Barnes for an amazing job, and she will be very missed.
Jim invited Michael Desplaines to the podium to be sworn in as the 2021 Rotary Club of Norfolk President. As a departing gift, Michael gave 12 scooters (one for every month Jim served) to the Hutton YMCA in Jim's name.
Laurie Harrison was sworn in as President-Elect. The club's new officers and directors were instilled. Officers include Vice President Jeff Wells, Secretary/Treasurer Barbra Lipskis, Immediate Past President James Kitz and Directors John Cameron, Dave Duncan, Michelle Nettles, Chris Bugg, Brian McGuire, Diane Wallach, and Parliamentarian Tom Ambler. Each officer and director received pins from Michael and Lorna.
Michael, as the new club president, continued to run the meeting. He gave each officer and director personal gifts he bought from the Norfolk Botanical Garden. He talked about the theme for this year as FELLOWSHIP. We have been on Zoom too long, so he wants the club to get back together. Michael gave his history with Rotary from a young man in the Rotary Program GSE. He spoke about his experiences in visiting an orphanage, Blood Bank, speaking to a group of ten thousand at an Interfaith event, and about bathing a baby elephant. This experience brought him into his love of service.
The Meeting:
Jim rang the bell to begin the meeting at 12:37 pm. Jim led "The Four-Way Test," followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Sigur Whittaker lead us in music - God Bless America, and O'Canada (for Michael). Sharon Lederberg gave the invocation.
Visitation report: Joe Massey is feeling under the weather, please send your prayers.
Lorna gave the introduction of guest: Jim's wife Claire, Laurie Harrison had several guests including her brother-in-law Tom and colleague Rob, Dianna Starkey introduced Zachary Christopher - a student intern from California.
We sang happy birthday to the July Birthdays:
Burnette, Bill July 05
Desplaines, Michael July 08
Dunbar, Dalton July 08
Padgett, John July 08
Wells, Jeff July 14
Beckner, Linwood D. July 15
Mason, Ben July 16
Jonak, Bill July 25
Wallach, Diane July 30
July Wedding Anniversaries
34 years, Laurie &Mark Harrison July 13, 1985
39 years Julie & Bob Keesling July 31, 1980
41 years, Pamela & Ace Tubbs July 1, 1978
73 years, Bill & Mary Louis Lehew July 28, 1946
July Rotary Anniversaries
Lauren Kiger 1 year July 7, 2020
Ann Sullivan8 years July 16, 2013
Angela Kerns 11 years July 27, 2010
Lisa Chandler 16 years July 28, 2005
Adam Foleck 16 years July 26, 2005
James O’Brien 27 years July 1, 1994
Carlisle Wroton 29 years July 1, 1992
Robert Heely 44 years July 1, 1977
School of the week: Granby High School