Rotary Program:1/21/04

Program Chairperson: Jerry Kanney

Speaker(s) Rotarians

The scheduled program, WJSO Radio was not able to make it, so Jerry Kanney decided to allow a few Rotarians to stand and tell what Rotary means to them.

He took the podium first to state that it was the people of Eastern Ky. that gratified him in making it a better place through community projects. Such worthy causes as the Spouse Abuse Center and YMCA in the local area and international projects such as Polio-Plus and Group Student Exchange add greater purpose to being in Rotary. Next, Brenda Maynard, current President remarked that she was honored to be in a leadership role. She commended the Rotary Board of Directors, the willingness to work of the membership and generosity of so many with the successes in the club this year. Brett Keene, Sargent of Arms, spoke about the fellowship he enjoys in the meetings that enhances the understanding of colleagues beyond the routine business relationships. Rakesh Sachdeva talked about how thankful he was to have so many friends in Rotary. He remembered how he received a polio vaccination at the age of twelve in India as a result of Rotary’s Polio-Plus initiative, an example of how Rotary touches so many lives, especially the children of the world. Jim Brown says it is the leadership that the club has had through the years that has made us strong and able to make a difference in the community.

Kitty White praised the generosity of the club members and their hard work to support so many good causes for people in the community. Morgan Chapman says that Rotary is a means to give back to the community because of the many blessings of God and the good people of this community. It is truly a means to apply the Rotary theme - “Service Above Self.” Sema Sachdeva says she feels like she has been in Rotary for a long time as she has helped her husband in the projects he has participated in, and sees a need to involve all the members of the family of Rotarians in some kind of activity so that they will grow up to become Rotarians themselves. Marcheta Blackburn counts Rotary membership as a privilege and an honor. Being in a club that has so many members and so many activities for good just makes her feel good to be a part of it all. Pam Howard remembers visiting a Rotary Club meeting to honor Valedictorian and Salutatorian students many years ago. She is glad to be a part of such an organization that gives so much to the local community and to the world. Joyce Robinson likes the good-will that is generated by the Rotary Club. Marty Backus enjoys the good-natured camaraderie that each meeting affords and praised the great Rotarians of the past like C. C. Cinnamond that taught him so much about service to the community. Bob Ford commented about the pure joy of giving that characterizes the club’s generosity. Reed Potter echoed so many as to how the fellowship of the members provides a welcome break in the middle of the workweek. Thelma Vinson remarked about the amount of history embodied by the club membership and the heritage of good deeds that is a legacy for all of us to continue into the future. Darrell Maynard says he just enjoys having his wife as the President of the club. Dickie Brewer, a 40-year member and having perfect attendance for the past 14 years, says he is glad to see the hard work of the younger members and that the future is bright for our club. Joe Dean Anderson says he envisions a world in which everything we say and do is filtered by the four-way test of Rotary. Hal Smith, who has been a Club President of Rotary in Danville and a member in Concord, Ohio, says that this club helps us understand others in our local communities and throughout the world. The last speaker was Chuck Chrisman, probably the elder statesman of the club. He spoke of the many memories he has of past members, meeting places, and projects during his 58-year membership. He challenged the members to get the word out about the good things the club is doing. Submitted by J. Morgan Chapman