OWENSBORO'S ROTARY IMPETUS

June 30, 2001 

This Week's Program... 
 No Meeting due to July 4th holiday 

Last Week’s Program... 
 2001 Annual Gala 
Well over 100 members and guests enjoyed themselves at the annual Rotary Gala held at the Owensboro Country Club. To the delight of the attendees, world famous accordionist, Kirk Kirkpatrick, entertained guests during the social hour. Jane Noble, Bob Burns and Sim Davenport were each made Paul Harris Fellows. In addition, Jack Darnell received the prestigious E.W. Smith award. Jarred Barron was congratulated for reaching the 50-year milestone in January, while Cap Gardner was recognized for achieving 59 years of membership on June 20, making him the Rotary member with the most years of “service above self.” Sim Davenport then handed the gavel to the new year’s president, Marilyn Brookman.  

Attendance: n/a 

Highest Attendance This Year: 117 

Invocation, Pledge & 4-Way Test: n/a 

Fellowship Report: n/a 

Introduction of Guests: n/a 

Thought for the Week: 
 Persistence is simply enjoying the distance between the fulfillment of God’s promises. 

YOUR PRESIDENT SPEAKS: WHO WILL REPLACE THEM? 
Those of you who attended the annual Rotary Gala heard me say that the one thing I will remember most about my term as president was the intense dedication and loyalty of our senior Rotarians – senior being members with 30, 40, 50-year memberships. I can’t help but wonder what it was about Rotary that caused this loyalty and can we build upon the legacy they are leaving. In short, can we replace them? If we can, how do we do it? Some recent research says that we have a generation gap, that my generation and even my kids don’t want to participate like our parents. In other words, that we won’t be replacing our senior Rotarians. I don’t want to accept that notion. I believe it is our responsibility to personally commit to not letting Rotary decline in any way. 

If we are to stay in Rotary for the long term, then I think we must bond as our senior Rotarians did. That means, first, that we get to know each other. I know it’s harder to do when you have 200+ members and not 50 or a 100, but if you attend the weekly meetings, it shouldn’t be an insurmountable task to learn your fellow members’ names. We need to have shared experiences outside of our weekly meetings, like working on fun projects or fund-raising activities, like pancake breakfasts. You simply can’t develop the relationships we need by only coming to the weekly meetings. 

Speaking of projects, we need to do them for a more important reason than just getting to know each other. We need to be actively working on projects during the year to give us a real purpose for existing as a club. While meeting each week is a nice social event, I don’t believe that will hold us together. It is the purpose of “service above self” and helping people in need, not just in Owensboro but all over the world, that was the driving force behind Rotary’s growth. I think only with this larger purpose for belonging to Rotary will we continue the legacy that we have been handed. 

Well, enough of my preaching. This is the end of the line for me. I am now moving from behind the podium and back into the pews with “my” table. I wonder how long it will take this reformed Rotarian to backslide?! 

Thanks and have a great week! 

Sim 

THANKS SIM! 
 I had a little extra space this week in the Impetus and wanted to personally thank Sim for all he’s done this past year to help me do my job...putting together the weekly Impetus. Each and every week, Sim emailed me all the necessary information so that I could put together the weekly newsletter. Since I am not at the meetings each week, somebody has to get the news from the meetings to me for publication in the Impetus. Thanks again Sim for all your help and for making my job a little easier! It’s been a pleasure working with you! 

Kim Mastin
MediaWorks Advertising, Inc. 

ANNOUNCEMENTS 
 • If you have an email address and are not receiving the Impetus online, please send an email to kim@mediaworksadvertising.com and you will be added to the Rotary email address list. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO... 
 William Wilson - July 2 
Jackie Addington - July 5 
Bob Garmon - July 5 

ROTARY REMINDERS... 
 • Don't forget to make up your missed meetings at breakfast Rotary at 7 on Tuesday mornings at Moonlite Barbecue. 
• The Program Chairman for July is Candance Brake. 

Please mail any questions, suggestions, or comments regarding the Impetus to: 

Mike Wallace 
MediaWorks Advertising, Inc. 
One Executive Boulevard 
P.O. Box 1866 
Owensboro, KY 42302 
Phone: 270-684-4554 
Email: mike@mediaworksadvertising.com

DEADLINE FOR ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN THE IMPETUS IS THE WEDNESDAY PRIOR TO MONDAY'S PUBLICATION DATE. 

UPCOMING PROGRAMS 
 July 11: Discover College - Nick Brake (DCPS) and David Johnson (OPS) 
July 18: Rotary District Governor Loretta Williams 
July 25: Harold Taylor - Progress of the Daviess County Detention Center 

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