Welcome to Adobe GoLive 6

President’s Message:

This month I will end my role as President of the Rotary Club of Williamstown. However, more importantly, two key Officers of the club will be stepping down: Anne Spencer, PP, will retire as Treasurer, and Nancy Hunt will retire as Secretary. Both of these people made my job a LOT easier, and the running of the club a lot smoother. I cannot thank them enough. When you see Anne or Nancy, be sure to thank them for the jobs they performed so well.

Also, two directors will step down after many years of service. Wally Graves and Paul Dube have guided many club officers over the years, and their advice (on any matter!) deserves your attention.

I also want to thank Fred Ley and Linda Sweeney for the various duties they performed. Many duties were spontaneous and well done, for sure. The success of the Annual Art Auction is due in large part to their work and that of Chairperson Claudine Auge’ and the many member- helpers.

K.C. Manuel, Anne Skinner and Hank Flynt need to be recognized for taking on the production of The Balance Wheel. I tried it for a few months, and (thankfully) could depend on these good members for later production.

Danielle Aalberts should be thanked for coordinating the entertainment of the GSE team from Nigeria. Despite some close calls at the Clark, the whole thing came together really well!

The Holiday Party at Maureen and Bill’s house was another big success! The party is always a wonderful evening and a chance to get to know your fellow members. Thanks again Maureen!

Thanks too, to all the monthly Speaker Facilitators during the year. We had some great speakers. (No more comments about my holiday guests: the Priest, the Rabbi and the Minister!)

One more big “Thank you!” goes to our former bachelor, Lauren Stevens, for the great job he did at the reception table, handling the income and paperwork, and greeting the guests. Lauren has moved to VT, where he and his bride now reside. Best wishes to you both, and Lauren: please remain as a member of this club!

Also, we were fortunate to have four new members join us this year: Win Brown, Dave Chenail, Margaret Cating and Rob Abel. You could not ask for better “recruits”. I wish them success in their Rotary involvement.

Finally, I wish Steve Green and his officers the very best for the new Rotary year! Steve is starting out right with the BIG motorcycle raffle for the summer. Show Steve & Co. your support and enthusiasm for doing the best for the Club and our world- wide community!

Thanks to you all, and I am sorry if I left anyone out of this message, but every bit of help and support was truly appreciated!

P.P.T.B., Rich

(Past President To Be!)

Club Matters:

President Rich is encouraging us to consider an appeal from District 7890 GSE Chair seeking applicants for Team membership to Argentina District 4800 and Philippines District 3780, during Spring 2005 GSE Schedule. We were informed that a New Britain Rotarian has been selected as Team Leader to Argentina, but the Philippines Leadership position remains vacant and is open for consideration to any Rotarian in good standing. But, to become Team Members for both Argentina and the Philippines, applicants must be non-Rotarians, between the ages of 25 and 40, and currently employed. Information and applications are available at the Rotary website, www.rotary.org, or, by contacting Alma_kruh@ml.com or EmmaLee_smith@hotmail.com, both of whom stress that "… this is a great opportunity to talk with non-Rotarians about our organization, the Rotary mission of world peace and understanding, and to broaden the base of future Rotarians."