The Rotater

Our program today was Glenn Hammonds, who gave us an update on Social Security. Joe Alcorta’s outstanding summary of each of our meetings appears on our club website. Thanks, Joe.

Program for June 23: Betty Hukill, director of the Paramount Theater, will bring some the of talented singers from the upcoming musical "SWING."

ABILENE ROTARY FLAG PROJECT. Flags were put out on Flag Day, June 14. Thanks to all of our members who make this money-raiser a success.

I just returned from the Rotary International Convention in Copenhagen, Denmark. (Mike Weber is still enjoying his trip to northern Europe.) RI President Carl-Wilhelm Stenhammar talked about SERVICE ABOVE SELF. He said that helping others may not get you to heaven, but it may keep you from going to HELL. He also said that ROTARY CAN CHANGE PEOPLE’S LIVES. It made me think about how our Rotary Club has changed the lives of many people.

It made me PROUD TO BE A ROTARIAN, knowing that our club had helped people in Nigeria by cooperating in the drilling of four water wells. I think the lives of the students we send to RYLA are changed forever. How about the lives of students at Jane Long Elementary that are inspired to better reading by C. G. Gray and our Rotary Readers. And how about the elderly persons that are served by MEALS ON WHEELS PLUS, with the assistance of the van we are helping buy. And our donations to Polio Eradication, Rotary Disaster Relief and to The Rotary Foundation help change the lives of many people around the world. THANKS TO ALL OF YOU WHO HELP CHANGE THE LIVES OF PERSONS FOR THE BETTER.

The Rotary International President for 2006-2007 is Bill Boyd, who is from New Zealand. His Rotary theme will be "LEAD THE WAY". And next year, (June 2007) the Rotary Convention will be in Salt Lake City, Utah. Make plans now to attend this convention and learn a lot more about Rotary. It would make a great family vacation next summer.

New Rotarian Richard Rolison made up a missed meeting by going online. Ask him all about it. And look for new banners from clubs around the world that our members have brought back from their trips abroad. We have several new banners to post on our display of banners.

On June 30, we will have CHANGEOVER CEREMONIES at our club meeting. Peter Fox will ring the BELL for the final time and hand the gavel to Mike Weber, who is our incoming President. On Thursday night, June 29, at Cypress Street Station, at 6:30 p.m., both our old and incoming BOARD OF DIRECTORS will meet with Assistant District Governor ED BROKAW and tell him about our club plans for the new year.

Next year we hope to increase the public awareness of Rotary in Abilene and around the world. Let us know if you have any ideas about how to accomplish this.

Club Officers: Peter Fox, President; Mike Weber, President Elect; Frank Dlugas, Secretary-Treasurer; Directors: Erik Johnson, Randy Piersall, Bruce Lampert, Kim Bosher, Bill Waddill, Bob Test, George Dawson, Will Dix (Sergeant at Arms) and C. G. Gray (immediate past president).