A collection of Past President’s came up and described a highlight of their year.

Having Past President’s present their thoughts was an idea started by Past President Bill Kielbasa.

 

Current President Rinus Oosthoek began by outlining some of the highlights noted by our first five Presidents.

The more things change – the more things stay the same.

Worrying about membership started with our 2nd President, Frank Tuttle, who said focusing on membership was the ‘puzzle of the year.’

 

John Hall (#92) mentioned how hunger was a theme and the club and Kenny Rothwell stepped up to help the kids in town with a BBQ (raising $16K for St. Joseph’s food bank).

 

Dave Gendall (#84) felt lucky for all the mentorship he received as President, citing ‘Service Above Self’ epitomizes his year which fell during the tragedy of 9/11.

 

 

Bruce Whear (the ‘hesitant President’) took to heart the advice he received from Tom Leonard – “You should always be able to write a speech on a cocktail napkin." In his estimation serving as President is some of the best leadership training available. Bruce brags all the time about how a Salem electrician administered polio vaccine in Honduras.

 

John Fisher (#65) let us in on his secret to meeting his fundraising number as President: his ability to drink a beer whilst standing on his head!!

 

And finally, Dick Moore (#64) spoke of how he was running around the club as a ten year old while his father was President – and he became Rotary President 25 years afterward!