June 29, 2021 Wenatchee Sunrise Change-Over Dinner

It's a Rotary tradition and point of order to have a Change-Over Dinner. It brings together club Rotarians, their family and friends, and new comers to applaud the outgoing President and welcome the incoming President. Dinner and an appropriate skit usually are fitted into the occasion.

Past President Taro Masuda opened the dinner meeting and had members introduce their guests:

• Jim and Carol Adamson
• Joel and Julie Banken
• Earl and Joy Crowe
• Geoffrey and Ruth Dagg
• Richard and Robin DeRock
• Dave Freimuth
• Milt and Jan Herman
• Erik and Kristen Holmberg
• PJ and Cookie Jones
• Kevin and Lynn Love
• Rebecca Lyons
• Wayne Massing
• Taro and Patti Masuda
• Chris and Holly McDarment
• John and Betsy McDarment
• Bill McDowell
• Steve Wright, Kathleen McNalty and sons Tyler and Daniel
• Zack (potential member) and Alison Pauw and baby Audrey 
• Craig Reece
• Rani Sampson
• John Schapman
• Ethan and Kaitlyn VanWeerdhuizen
• Alan and Kelly Walker.

Dinner

We were fortunate enough to be able to use the Wenatchee Museum and Cultural Center's kitchen to prepare a delicious meal of the following:

• Hamburgers with all the fixin's
• Chicken
• Brats
• Portobello mushrooms
• Kirkland ice cream bars.
  

Those helping prepare the meal were Rani, John, Betsy, Rebecca, Ethan, Kaity, and Kathleen. Since it was BYOB, there were many bottles of refreshments to choose from!

   Rani

John, Betsy, Kathleen and Rani

  Rebecca

Earl, Ethan and Kaity

Goals and Accomplishments

Earl read a list of the club's major goals and accomplishments during Rotary Year 2020-2021 (July-June):

• 25 individual club members participated in at least 1 service project. There were 11 service projects completed.
• 25 individual club members participated in at least 1 social/fellowship event. There were 10 social/fellowship events.
• 5 individual club members participated in at least 1 leadership training event.
• 5 individual club members participated in at least 1 District training event.
• Our club donated over $2,000 to Polio and over $2,700 to the Annual Fund.
• Our club awarded 16 Paul Harris Fellows (15 club members and 1 in memorial for Gregory Lyons (Rebecca’s husband).
• 2 club members became benefactors.
• 2 club members became Bequest Society members.
• Christmas presents to the Bruce House. We partnered with the East Wenatchee and Downtown club and provided Christmas present to 27 kids.
• Grace House Valentine gift bags. Individual club members purchased, packaged, and gifted 16 adults and 8 kids for Valentine’s Day.
• Our club earned the Presidential Citation for completing at least 50% of the goals set for the year. We completed 82%!

Awards (Part 1)

Because of the diligent work of the President, the Board of Directors and club member's help, our club was awarded the prestigious Rotary International Presidential Award as we met over 82% of our goals. Certificate forthcoming from Rotary International.

Earl thanked his Board of Directors for 2020-2021 with praise and gifts.

Committees

Earl introduced the club's committees and their chairs: 

• Bike Ride Committee-Alan Walker
• Fund-Raiser Committee-Pete Blanksma
• Public Image Committee-Chris McDarment and Wayne Massing
• Challenge Scholarship Committee-David Barshes and Craig Reese
• Foundation Committee-Craig Reese
• Membership Committee-Jim Adamson
• Social and Fellowship Committee-Carol Adamson and Ruth Dagg
• Local and International Projects Committee-Milt Herman and Taro Masuda (Future Alan Walker and Jackie Rector)
• Youth Exchange-Joel Banken
• Program Committee-Jim Huffman
• Sergeant at Arms-Wayne Massing, Kevin Love.

Another important part of our club is the organization, ordering and delivery of the Tuesday morning meeting's breakfast. Ruth Dagg does that well. Thanks, Ruth!

Awards (Part 2)

Earl presented the June Rotarian of the Month award to John McDarment. Earl writes: "I awarded John McDarment the Rotarian of the Month for June. It was an easy selection for me to make. Throughout the year John has been someone I have went to for advice and as a sounding board. Every month John worked with me by creating the Rotarian of the Month certificates and having them in a folder. John was instrumental in organizing the Changeover Dinner with Taro." Congratulations, John!

The Mark Anderson "Marky" Presidential Service Award was presented to Kathleen McNalty, Wenatchee Sunrise Rotarian who best exemplifies Service Above Self.

Earl wrote this about Kathleen and her award: 'I know how much work goes into the President Elect’s year getting ready to become Club President. Throughout the year Kathleen was completing all of her duties as President Elect, and at the same time, she was the Co-chair of the Fundraising Committee, and generating project ideas. Kathleen took on the coordination of the Monthly Rotary Club of Wenatchee Sunrise takeover at the Pybus Farmer’s Market, an ongoing event which attracted two new club members (Dan & Jackie Rector). This past year Kathleen truly exhibited the meaning of Service Above Self.”

 

Oath of Office

Earl asked Kathleen McNalty to come forward and be sworn in as the newest President of the Wenatchee Sunrise Rotary Club.

Kathleen asked her incoming Board of Directors to join her on stage.

District Governor Richard DeRock presented President Kathleen with the 2021-2022 themed banner "Serve to Change Lives". The banner will be proudly displayed at every meeting.

Kathleen presented to Joy Crowe a floral bouquet and gift certificate for her support for her husband Earl, Immediate Past President, and for her support for the club.

Kathleen also present Betsy McDarment with a gift certificate for all the help she provides at EVERY Rotary event! Thank you, Betsy!

The POOPS

At this point in the Change-Over Dinner, the Past Order of Presidents (POOPS) took over the ceremony. Jim Adamson explained that Earl is the current Deputy Coroner of Chelan County, and we about dropped dead coming up with anything to write about him, but we did (some excerpts):

• Earl had a difficult time choosing his committee chairs. He didn't want any dead beats.
• When suggested we do the beer selling at The Gorge again, Earl replied very loudly...."Over my dead body"!
• Matter of fact, Earl died laughing when we told him we wanted him to be president.
• Now that we are meeting in public, have you noticed Earl leaves early from Rotary some mornings. One member asked why and he said, "Some people are dying to see me"!
• They got worse....

The POOPS had a huddle and vote to see if Earl was really worthy to be inducted into the prestigious group.

A vote of 9 to 0 was received and Earl was happily pinned with the Past President pin! 

Thank you, Earl.

Welcome, Kathleen.

Some pictures of the attendees.

  Zack, Alison and baby Audrey

 

The DeRocks settle a discussion with Rockem Sockem Robots!

The dinner was enjoyed by everyone. It was great to be able to get back together again, and see smiling faces again. Everyone enjoyed the coolness of the museum, despite the vicious heat in our valley!

Dinner ended at 8:30.