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Message from Cheri
Our first year was spent learning about Rotary, setting up our
board, and talking with our club members about what we wanted to
accomplish. We learned about the culture of Rotary, the four
avenues of service, and more than anything we spent time getting
to know each other and having fun. We had no money but lots of
people power and determination!
The Red Wing Rotary Club sponsored Lake City Rotary in our
district. Many of the members of that club gave numerous hours of
their time to help us get started. They attended many meetings,
worked with each of our club officers to help them understand
their roles, and made sure that we were having fun! Jerry Borgen,
charter president of the Red Wing Club, was especially valuable.
But, we need to acknowledge the efforts of many other Red Wing
Rotarians who helped us succeed, including Nancy Green, Tom Feehan,
Rollie Meffert, Bill Laidlaw, Mike Wilson, Deb Marty, Sharon
McCord and Marie Busson. Without their help and support and the
commitment from the entire Red Wing Rotary Club, our club would
not be as great as it is!
Our first event was a community walk, co-sponsored with Lake City
Medical Center. The walk was held during Johnny Appleseed Days,
and it was a great way for Rotarians to serve our community. We
plan to continue the tradition yearly.
Rotary International's goal is to eradicate polio by 2005. Lake
City Rotary pledged $4,600 toward this goal. We raised over $2,000
for polio in August when we co-sponsored a Rotary District golf
tournament with the Red Wing Rotary Club.
Rotary International's centennial year is 2005, and Lake City
Rotary Club wanted to participate in the celebration of this great
event by doing a service project in our community. We decided to
purchase Rotary benches and have them placed along the river walk.
It was another great way to provide something special to this area
and make Rotary visible in our community.
We spent some time organizing our Rotary Foundation (501c3).
Establishing this foundation allowed us to do fundraising as a
non-profit organization. Our first fundraiser was selling Krispy
Kreme donuts. We sold almost 350 dozen and made a profit of
$1,000. All proceeds went to our pledge to eradicate polio.
We participated in Lake City's Winterfest celebration. Several
Rotarians spent time helping with events, serving as judges for
contests, and we sponsored a silent auction.
During this first year, we had the honor and privilege of spending
an afternoon with the President of Rotary International, Bichi
Rattakul. Eight of our members attended the event. This was the
fourth time in 40 years that a Rotary International President has
been to our district. In the President's honor, the State
Legislature proclaimed January 14, 2003 as Rotary International
Day in the State of Minnesota. It was a great privilege to spend
time with fellow Rotarians across the District to honor our
President.
This year was a successful year for Lake City Rotary Club. Our
meetings have been informative and entertaining. Many of our
members say "they can't wait for Friday." It has been a
great experience to be president of a charter club, and I'm proud
to say I belong to this great organization. As president, I thank
the members of the club who helped formulate the culture and
vision of Lake City Rotary for years to come.
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