Upon arrival…each female Rotarian and guest received a rose. All attendees were greeted by Rotary founder “Paul Harris”. What a beautiful way to start this year’s installation of officers and directors!
Master of Ceremonies and Past President Peter Loescher rang the bell at noon to start the meeting.
Former Naval Officer and fellow Rotarian George Babcock led us in the Pledge of Allegiance followed by a rousing rendition of the national anthem by Holly Applegate.
Inspiration
“Paul Harris” shared Rotary’s beginnings: how he and fellow Chicago businessmen started Rotary in 1905. Since that time this service-oriented organization has grown into Rotary International with 1.2 million members, 27,000 clubs and 1.9 million volunteers in 166 countries.
Did you know?
- Master of Ceremonies and Past President Peter Loescher was the Providence Rotary’s Club’s 81st president—34 years ago!
- The Rotary Foundation was founded in 1917. Since its founding, members have focused their clubs’ projects on meeting the health, hunger and educational needs of impoverished peoples around the world as well as improving the environment.
- Through April 1st of this Rotary year ending on June 30th, the Rotary Foundation awarded over $229 million in funded grants to global, district, and disaster response recipients.
- Since 1985, the Foundation’s greatest project has focused on the eradication of polio. We’re almost there!
Congratulations to…
- 2025-2027 Board member Rob Brewster, Lew Hassell, Michaela Hermann, Bob Morse and Karen Mueller
- 2025-2026 Officers Liz Messier, Alex David, Emily Bernstein, Anxhela Elezaj, Luis Lourenco, and Peter Loescher
- Paul Harris Fellow Award recipients Rob Brewster, Jane Berkowitz, and Janet Feyler
- Rotarian of the Year Bill Applegate
Special Appreciation to…
- District Governor Nicole Brien for installing the officers and directors
- Past President Don Saracen for installing our new president
- Outgoing Board members
- Installation Meeting Committee
- Swan Point Cemetery for the beautiful table plant decorations
A warm welcome to Rotary District representatives and today’s guests.
Both outgoing president Pete Brock, and newly-installed president Bill Applegate gave inspirational speeches to the assembled audience. In short, Pete asked everyone to make each day count, and Bill encouraged everyone to work closely together on club projects to make this year a joyous and productive one. Prior to Bill's talk, his daughter, Brecken Schneider, told us a little about what we can expect from the new president.
The photos in this
link capture the meeting’s joy in Rotary fellowship.
A Rotarian Passing
Jan Feyler informed me today that our dear friend Nondas Voll died on July 5th. As soon as we know about arrangements, we will post via email to the club.
