Mimi, upon becoming President, gave Eric Barter his Past President’s pin.  “Thank you, Eric for a fabulous year.  Thank you, Bruce and your committee for this event tonight.  Your team has done us proud.”

Mimi, then introduced her table of family and friends that came to enjoy this Rotary evening with her.

She then commented that the spouses and partners were all wearing Emblems of Rotary; The Rotary Wheel.  Each of you, Mimi continued, is a participant with Rotary.  Some of our members are community leaders, building connections.  Connections are important, as is Fellowship and Service.

Rotary gives us the opportunity to serve worldwide.  Rotary has the largest voluntary services.  There are 2.1 million Rotarian volunteers serving throughout the world.  In India, we have helped girls become wage earners.  Rotary has supplied food to the hungry and clothes and whatever is needed to those in hard times.  In 1985, Rotary declared that it would be a part of a worldwide effort to stamp out polio.  To date, we are 99% there.  Our club has contributed beyond what was asked of us, and we went far beyond our commitment.

Our club Rotarians in other projects have donated wheelchairs to those who are not able to walk.  Yearly, our club members have traveled to Tijuana and constructed buildings, poured cement and in general, needed items for the orphanages and schools in that area.  Locally, club members worked week-ends to construct buildings and an actual replica of an old fort at the Boy Scouts “Fort Trask” in a neighboring city, Monrovia.

On being president, we have had great sport and especially this crown — this in not about me.  But about our club.  Geese fly in a “V” formation.  When the first gets tired, another goose comes forward to take over.  Each year a new flock takes the lead.  The flock follows the leader.  In our club, there is a Board of Directors.  They all have their responsibilities, still all flying the “V” direction.  This coming year we have an excellent Board.  They are all encouraging, and we are all going to fly together.

Thank you and when you leave this evening honk for the Arcadia Rotary….

                                                   ”THE GREATEST ROTARY CLUB

                                                                                            IN THE WORLD!”

(Phyllis Corliss)