In difficult times which 2020 had, we count our blessings, even as we note the loss of beloved member George Milne. In my first address to the club as president, I emphasized the strategic priorities of Rotary International that applied to us as well: Impact, Reach, Engage and Adapt. These principles implemented by our Club have helped us to flourish this year.

 

While other Rotary clubs have folded, our Club has thrived. Our weekly meetings have been a source of strength, hope and stability. We have adapted. Although all virtual, our monthly evening meetings have been well received and our weekly meetings well attended. Our programming has been engaging and robust. We have explored important, timely and difficult topics such as racial justice, bias, police reform, internet connectivity for remote learners and food insecurity, with presentations from community leaders. We have invited the Englewood Community to join us virtually and expanded our reach. We have benefitted from joint meetings with other clubs and have learned by sharing mutual experiences.

 

Rotary is about making an impact in our community and in the world, and we have done just that! Whether sending funds to the Rotary Foundation to help eradicate worldwide polio, partnering to educate nurses in a medically underserved area in Haiti, donating coats/ gloves and hats and Target gift cards for local families in need, helping combat food insecurity in our community, helping children through our partnership with the JCC School of Music or by distributing dictionaries to 3 ^rd  graders, and supporting our environment- we have made a mark in Englewood and in the world!

 

We adopted a new vision and mission statement and outlined priorities.

 

While accomplishing all this, we’ve had fun! We celebrated the centennial anniversary of women’s suffrage! We had a successful virtual community award gala in the Fall and celebrated the New Year with chocolate, music, song and laughter!

 

Rotary is more than a service club. It’s about friendships that are made locally and internationally that enable us to do so much.

 

I look forward to all that we have to accomplish together in 2021 and the years to come.

 

Best wishes for a happy and healthy New Year to my Rotary Family!

 

Dr. Lisa Wisotsky, President 2020/2021