This year’s Rotary theme is “Making a Difference” and as I reflect on the year, it is a joy to realize we have done that in many respects.
We have changed venues, changed Presidential order, changed some Board positions; added two new committees to the club structure and more. We gave $6,600 to local charities from budget, provided over $8,000 through our newly-founded Grant Committee, provided financial means for two teens to participate in an international service project, sent four teens to RYLA and awarded three four-year college scholarships to deserving local students.
Through the year, over 1,800 hours of community service were donated, which according to Frisco ISD scale, is valued at over $36,000. That doesn’t include the hundreds of hours of weekly work for the club administratively, financially and in other respects. We added two new service projects and a monthly Project of the Month, which aided multiple local organizations. Our members gave thousands of hours this year to benefit our community and I applaud all those who were a part of that effort.
Members worked in six elementary and with all local high schools, expanding awareness of Rotary and our values of service above self and the Four Way Test. Our Interact Club grew from a dozen to over 40 members, and received several District awards, including sending a team of three students to Model UN at the International Peacekeeping Conference. In addition, four of our Interact members were selected to fill seven District positions for next year, the most from a single club.
Our flag program collaborated with the Young Men’s Service League, which created a mutually beneficial means of building, and hopefully expanding, our flag provision in local parks.
The first international project supported by our club was completed in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua, as the culmination of several year’s work. Two of our Interact teens accompanied our committee leadership, for first-hand exposure to the needs of our international recipients and to service avenues.
It’s been a year of difference in many lives touched by our club, and the impact will continue for years to come. I look forward to celebrating our club’s accomplishments and all those who led the efforts to fulfill this theme to the fullest. Join us for our celebration at this week’s meeting.