As is the tradition of our club at end of a presidential term, Dr. Bill presented a Top Ten list of notable people and events that occurred during the year. He warned that there were lots of inside jokes and commented that Zooming with Colette displayed her extraordinary skill and adaptability through year. The top moments of Lady Grizzly’s Virtual Presidency during our time zooming with Colette:
- The strangely erotic experience of watching Barry Toby eat a tuna sandwich on camera.
9. Seeing Gobind Anand perch on the Golden Gate Bridge while we all fervently hope she doesn’t jump.
8. The hardest-working Rotarian of all – Colette Lay who has to prepare all the ribs, fries and Hawaiian cheesecake for those shots at the beginning of the meeting.
7. The occasional appearance of the mysterious IT guy who tries to retrieve the clip from RI about the urinal installation project in Botswana.
6. Enjoying watching Pat Paterson doze off ten minutes into the meeting.
5. Marveling at the evolution of Nobert Walz’s ponytail.
4. Appreciating how creatively Melanie Emig shuffles the papers around on her desk.
3. Admiring the steely resolve of Chris Gayler and his three-month sit-in protest in the O’Neil Room at the country club, demanding that he get another pitcher of iced tea.
2. The desperate hand-written sign that Doctor Bill holds up, “Help, I have no audio!”
1. The extravagant entrance of Julie McKinney coming on camera to do recognitions, like a contestant on “America’s Got Talent.”
And the final bonus feature:
- How the meetings always end with a final shot of Chris Gallagher, the last, sad Zoomer, turning this way and that, to get his best camera angle.
We will forgive Dr. Bill’s penchant for skipping over some on this list only to recover and include these critical moments albeit late and out of order.
Club Awards with sound affects
Colette recognized her supportive Board Members complete with an applause maker that she seemed to enjoy entirely too much.
Garth – Great note taker
Priya – Adaptable (spot light video)
Millich – Grants chair
Patty – Vocational Service with a challenging but successful Scholarship process
Karen – Community Service who updated websites, and answered Colette emails
Julie M. – Sergeant of Arms stepped up along with many other accepted duties
Julie F – Club Admin organized our last party during Xmas
Guy – Is best known as the photo man but also was responsible for International service
Gary – In charge of Interact and Youth Activities
Geoff – Treasurer many years, (Colette announced that he was be getting her expenses)
Chris Gayler – Membership with 5 -6 new members
Chris Gallagher – Bummed missing out on PE stuff. The club is lucky to have an experienced President
Glen W. – Member at Large helped recruitment of vocations to fill voids
Colette extended her thanks and congratulations to all Board members.
Special Recognition
Ray Giles, the Foundation Chairperson was recognized for a great job on foundation activities. He was patient, helpful and thorough.
Carolyn Degnan – Superb Social Coordinator despite her travails with the COVID virus
Marv Remmich – Outstanding Program Director with a variety of interesting speakers
Before introducing Norbert to present the Rotarian of the Year award, Norbert was aroused from his slumbers and asked “did I miss the Board awards”?
Rotarian of the Year Award: For unwavering commitment to our club and the community selected by former Rotarians of the Year, there was a clear consensus. Norbert announced that he sought a second term as Rotarian of the Year but opted for man with whom Norbert had “a lot in common with similar high principles and character”. To the thunderous virtual applause, Ray Giles was announced as this year’s winner of this most coveted award. Based on this scribe’s view, Ray was surprised, stunned and speechless. However, he did express his sincere appreciation and grateful thoughts and sentiments!
Red Badge of the Year: President Lay presented this award given to a Rotarian that demonstrates significant support for the club during their first year. That person in 2020 was none other than Julie McKinney AKA scribe for Dr. Bill, Sergeant of Arms, Veterans Program coordinator and countless other activities. Julie was honored but owed indicated that she owed Bill, Gary, Karen and Edgardo for asking for her to step up into these roles. This past year, we all learned that Julie can never can say no.
Hall of Fame Award: Bestowed upon a Rotarian who consistently puts “Service Before Self” through their years of club service, this year’s winner is Glen Weber. Not officially on the Board, as member at large he consistently helped Board members in a variety of tasks and services. Glen was unphased but surprised.
Hammer Award: This award is presented to the Rotarian who serves beyond the call of duty and is instrumental in getting things done while giving the club 100% support. To the surprise of no one, Norbert Walz was awarded this recognition. He said that this award took his breath away and that he was humbled. Norbert will be added to long list of past Hammer Award winners on a lovely plaque.
Life Line Award: This award is given to someone who comes to the aid of the President (in this case, at least 3 times per week) on more than one occasion and helps the President maintain sanity and order. Karen McNamara was the designated Wing-woman for Colette starting with the fun they had in the Hamburg conference. Karen recounted that “those who drink beer together stay together”.
Stewardship Award: Finally, the Rotarian whose care and responsible management of something entrusted to one’s care is recognized. This year’s award went to Chris Gallagher. Chris feigned being speechless and thanked Colette for helping him help her. A relieved outgoing President reassured apprehensive, cynical club members that they were in good hands in the coming year with Mr. Gallagher.
To make it all official, there was a magical moment of the virtual handing over the gavel creating a sense of confusion and reality testing among members.
Madam Grizzily’s final act was announcing Chris Gallagher’s handle. After receiving many suggestions from past presidents, our new President’s handle is TOP GUN recognizing Chris’s efforts to obtain a pilot’s license and one of his two dogs being named Maverick.
A virtual Rotary Cake was shared by all as our courageous ex-president rides off into the sunset with very big smile of relief on her face.
Colette ended the meeting sharing that she had a blast this year and was happy we did not give her a new handle of COVID Colette during the year.
The meeting was adjourned for demotion events later in the day. Colette, on behalf of the entire club, we salute you!
We are dark for the first week of July.
Respectfully submitted,
Gary Sloan
Scribe
