Club Leadership Change Over
Posted by Jeff McElhaney
Sue Straeter-Doviak joyfully received the gavel from current Club President Mark Erle representing the beginning of her tenure as Emmaus Rotary Club President for the 2015-2016 year. Sue will be outlining the Club's vision and goals at the Club Assembly this week.
District Governor Elect Doug Cook visited Emmaus Rotary to assist with Sue's induction as Club President.
Gary Rohrbach conducted the traditional "passing of the gavel" ceremony. Past Presidents participating in the ceremony included Wilmer Schultz, Carl Frantz, Dale Dries, Gary Rohrbach, John Zettlemoyer, PDG Roger Whitcomb, PDG Frank Romano, Larry Delhagen, Chris Wills, Ceil Birdsell, Ralph Lewis, Larry Wingard, J.P. Raynock, Geoff Boyer, Woody Rohrbach, and Cindy Hornaman.
In addition to the "passing of the gavel" and induction of Club officers for 2015-2016, two members were recognized for outstanding service to Emmaus Rotary Club.
Bob Halsey received Paul Harris Fellow recognition for his longtime service as Membership Committee Chair from Past President J.P. Raynock. During Bob's tenure, the Membership Committee consistently met annual membership growth and retention goals and Bob became known as a membership "guru" throughout District 7430. In addition to personally interviewing virtually all new member candidates, Bob formalized the processes for recruiting, vetting and inducting new members, as well as continuing the annual Perfect Attendance program. In his spoken remarks, J.P. outlined many of Bob's other contributions to Emmaus Rotary Club which go well beyond his service on the Membership Committee including serving as a member of the Club board of directors and District Conference co-chair during Roger Whitcomb's term as District Governor. Bob also led numerous Club auctions, organized several golf tournaments and other fund raising events, spearheaded the Club's volunteer efforts at the Miracle League and manned the Club's information booth at the Emmaus Farmers Market and Lower Macungie Community Days. Congratulations Bob for your outstanding service to Emmaus Rotary Club and the local community!
Mike Gibson also received Paul Harris Fellow recognition for his service as Youth Committee Chair. Under Mike's leadership, the Youth Committee established a long term scholarship fund for local high school students, supported the Emmaus High School Interact Club in its growth to over 100 members, facilitated foreign exchange experiences for numerous students (both incoming and outgoing), and recruited dozens of future leaders to attend Camp Neidig. Mike also served several terms as a member of the Club board of directors. Thank you Mike for representing the ideals of Rotary and for your service to others.