Honoring Rotarians and Celebrating Generosity
 

The Rotary Club of Norfolk had a multi-part meeting on May 2, 2023, that memorialized two members who passed away, celebrated the club’s 109^th anniversary, and honored generous Rotarians who are Charles Woodard Fellows.

 

 

President Laurie Harrison announced that our club was founded 109 years ago on this date -- just nine years after Rotary International’s founding. There are 40 Rotary clubs in Virginia and North Carolina that our club helped establish. As part of 1.4 million Rotary members internationally, our club members have supported many fundraisers and service projects. Laurie thanked members for saying “yes” to joining, donating, sponsoring, volunteering, and being part of the club.

                 

Sigur Whitaker read a resolution honoring the late Rev. Jim Sell, who passed away on September 30, 2022. He was a Rotarian for more than 50 years.  He graduated from the Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria in 1969 with his Masters in Divinity. He subsequently had an extended career in the Episcopal ministry. He became the Rector of Christ & St. Luke's Episcopal Church in 1990, where he served for 15 years. Jim "retired" in 2005 and spent the next eight years as the interim rector at several parishes on the East Coast before finally retiring for good. His wife, Ellen, accepted the resolution.

 

 

Joey Rothgery read a resolution honoring the late Mal Branch, who passed away on September 19, 2022.  He was a Rotarian for 20 years.  As a Navy officer, Mal served as executive officer on the USS George Washington, then moved on to the Mount Whitney, and was Commanding Officer of the USS George Washington prior to retiring as a Navy captain In his post-naval career, Mal was executive director of Virginia Ship Repair. He was a commissioner and chair of the Norfolk International Airport Authority and served on many other community boards. Mal is survived by his wife, Nancy, who could not attend.

Laure thanked Sharon Laderberg and Joey Rothgery for putting the resolutions together. Sharon thanked Tom Ambler for starting the resolution process.

 

 

Sharon Laderberg announced that the Norfolk Rotary Club’s endowment is named after Charles Woodward.  She introduced Paul Sykes, a past club president and district governor, who was sponsored in Rotary by Charles Woodward. 

 

Paul shared with members that at the end of WW II, Charles Woodward founded Refrigeration Suppliers Inc. in Norfolk. He was married to Francis. Although the couple never had children, Charles treated Paul like a son. Charles enjoyed finer things in life like shoes, suits, and cars – especially Cadillacs. 

 

In the 1970s, Charles and nine other Rotarians put in $30,000 apiece to buy SeaScapes golf course in Nag’s Head. Charles also invested in young people, including Paul. His advice to Paul was to look for the best in people, which Paul took to heart. 

 

In 1992 Mark Shaw, the club president, and Rotarian Harry McCoy (his father-in-law) hatched the idea of starting a local endowment.  Fifteen members of the Rotary Club gave $1,000 each in 1992 to the endowment managed by the Hampton Roads Community Foundation. The fund has grown to $716,000 and provided more than $200,000 in support to area nonprofits. The endowment allows the club to support a variety of grantees, such as those honored at the last meeting.

 

Sharon Laderberg called to the podium Charles Woodward fellows to receive certificates. All are members who have donated $1,000 or more to the local endowment.  Forms are available on the website for anyone interested in also becoming a Charles Woodward fellow.

 

Carlisle Wroton, one of the Charles Woodard Fellows, was honored as the endowment’s top major donor and responded to that news by saying, “I’m in awe.”  Carlisle then told why he supports the club endowment. He has lived in Norfolk most of his life and wants to see the city and all its residents thrive. He joined the club in 1992, soon after the endowment was established, and after learning its purpose was to support local organizations, he resolved to donate regularly. Carlisle is both a Charles Woodward and Paul Harris fellow. Through the local endowment, he feels he is giving to the community directly.

                 

Laurie reminded club members that our club gave away $50,000 in grants during one of the pandemic years when we had no fundraisers. Those grants came because of our endowment.

 

 

 

Lauren Kiger celebrated all members who have reached a milestone. Members with 5, 10, 20, 25, 40, and 73 years (Bill Jonak) of membership were recognized.

 

 

For the visitation report were learned that Bill Lehew is still rehabilitating as is Jim Baker.

 

Alan Nelson introduced Rotarians to guests:

 

Our visiting Rotarian was Past District Governor Paul Sykes

 

Being the first meeting of the month, we sang happy birthday to Rotarians with May birthdays.