President’s Message

January 9, 2008

Life, Rotary and Our Connections

It was recently announced that our Immediate Past Rotary President, Liz Degner, has agreed to a new Springfield Rotary Club assignment.  Beginning immediately, Liz will serve as our “Member Connections” person for the Club.

Just what does this mean and what does the position entail?  Glad you asked!

We are all Rotarians.  That we have in common.  Beyond that, some of us are professionals, some work for private companies, some of us own our own businesses, and not just a few of us are done with formal work and are listed as “retired”.  Almost all of us have strong family connections from brand new families to very matured families with kids, grandkids and more scattered throughout the country and world.

Into each of our personal and business worlds come the good and bad that life brings.  Illnesses, promotions, job changes, loss of loved ones, success............... each Rotarian in our Club experiences a myriad of ups and downs while a valued member of our Club.  And, in each of those cases, there is an opportunity to lend support or help celebrate that experience.

That is where Liz comes in.  She will work to keep up with those things that touch the lives of our Rotary Club members. Whether a loss or a tough time, or a gloriously happy development in one of our lives, we need to show that we are connected to each other beyond sharing a Rotary lunch once a week.

So, if you know a Club member that needs some encouragement or a member that has obtained some recognition in our community, please let Liz know.  We want to be aware of the person that is our fellow Rotarian.

This position once was called the “Sunshine” person with the thought being that, from time to time, there is a

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News about our Club and Beyond

New Rotary Volunteers Handbook The Rotary Volunteers Handbook (263-EN) has been revised, and the new edition is now available for free download in the Download Library on www.rotary.org.  It can also be purchased for US$3.50, either online or through RI Publications Order Services (phone: 847-866-4600).  The Rotary Volunteers Handbook provides information and guidelines for local and international volunteers, project sponsors, and committee chairs.  It is published in English, French, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Coordinating Caring Past President Liz Degner is taking on a new role – one we’re calling (for the time being) Member Connection.  She’ll keep us up to date on happenings among our club members to strengthen our connections and help us better support and celebrate each other! She’ll circulate cards for our signatures, announce members in need of congratulations or sympathy; help us feel more closely connected to one another. You can help!   Be alert to news about club members, either in the newspaper or through other associations.  Please pass it along to Liz; she’ll take it from there! Thank you, Liz, for stepping up to take on the role filled by Don Lutes for many years!  It suits your caring compassionate nature! Donna McNeil, Club Administration

Recent Makeups: Ned Powell (2), Bob Linahan, Dan Egan, Micheal Screen, Bruce Webber, Bruce Smolnisky, Mark Johnson, Corkey Gourley, Donna McNeil, Liz Degner Contact Micheal Screen with your make-ups: neercs@msn.com