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| Hal Quigley, being presented President of The Year award from District Governor Len Wasserstein |
2001 /2002: "A Rotary Odyssey...
ALOHA!! I believe, it has been an excellent year for the Rotary Club of Santa
Monica. For me, the year as President was truly memorable and the fun and
fellowship were beyond compare. Thank you to everyone who assisted in making
this year special.
George Collins, VP of Programs, gave us a year of superb programs. His mix of
programs was on the money--entertaining, informative, or relevant. Moreover, his weekly promotional E-mail was a hit! As a result,
weekly attendance skyrocketed and averaged more than 110. I believe the net
membership increase of ten new members as of May 31, 2002, was also related.
I told the club that any one of my board members could have been president of
this club. I was the lucky recipient of a first- class board who executed a first-class year. Hugh Travis, VP of Committees, made sure the committees were always
prepared and functioned properly. His directors administered meaningful and
pertinent community, youth, vocational, international and club services.
Larry Maher took our internet site to new heights. Lionel Ruhman and
Keith
Monroe produced the amusing and interesting club bulletin--the Rota-Monica.
Barbara Hopper kept me on the straight and narrow.
Rotaract was fully integrated into our club. They participated in many of our
activities. In addition, Vivian Rivas was the very first Rotaract District
Governor. She was a member from our Rotaract Club at Santa Monica College. Vivian
was also made an honorary member of our club.
Participation with the International Foundation, under the Chairmanship of
Marvin Levin, reached a high plateau with a new Major Donor, sixteen new Paul
Harris Fellowships and five new Benefactors. Approximately $20,000 was
transmitted to the District or International Foundation.
The 80th anniversary party was a celebration to remember. Diane Margolin and
crew created a fantastic evening. I believe the club members will long
remember the Rotarian vignettes with George Collins as the Master of Ceremonies:
Bill Werner on Harmonica; Bill Hunt's One-Man Band; Monika White on spoons;
Joyce Khoury on Roller Blades; Greg Hargrave Juggling; and, Carol
Jackson Tap
Dancing.
The San Diego District Conference was especially well attended this year.
Hugh Travis arranged a wonderful harbor cruise for our club. We were recognized
more than 25 times for our various Rotary activities as a large club, including:
The Governor's Award of Excellence; The Most Outstanding Club President; and,
The Club of Excellence.
We can all be proud of our club as we conclude our 80th year. We are a
vibrant, healthy and growing club where Service Above Self and the Four Way Test
are the foundation of all our actions. Thank you again for giving me the
opportunity to serve. It was a continuation of my Rotary Odyssey that I will
always fondly remember.
Finally, thank you to my sweetheart of twenty-eight years--Kai-Li. It was
Kai-Li who encouraged me to accept the honor to become President. She believed and made me believe I would do a good job. Then, she
helped me complete all the details.
ALOHA! !
Hal Quigley, President
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