June 26 - A busy Day at Rockport Rotary

We started our meeting today with the last of four groups of students and their parents who are our scholarship recipients for 2014. Students who received scholarships ranging from $2000 to $1000 for a year are Erin Albin, Arbui Gover, Jenny Beth Harris, Pauline Irish, Krista Pape, Matthew Burckmoes, Amber Hernandez, Lindsey Jenkins, Allison McClain, Domingo Gonzalez, Rainie Guidry, Nancy Kahunguba, Brooke Robbins, Chase Schoen, Autumn Hanley, Esai Salazar, Forrest Unterbrink, Evelyn Villafranco, Sean Reeves. Congratulations and Study Hard!

We then shared various awards and milestones our members have achieved this year.

Nancy Paulson and Maddie Legner were recognized with a new RI pin backing for bringing in new members this year. We welcomed Cathy Hinchman and Ron Young to our membership this year. Welcome!

Seven members were given certificates because they had perfect attendance this year. Way to go! The number of years varied from one year to over 35 years. Congratulations to Phil Albin, Kathy David, Kari Kelley, Phyllis Kline, Jack Daniels, Calvin Scholtz and Sig Murphy (left to right in photo).

The club was pleased to recognize four members as Paul Harris Fellows for their contributions for The Rotary Foundation. Two members were present to receive their second Paul Harris Fellow recognition with a sapphire - Terri Whitman and John Jackson. The other two members will be awarded their Paul Harris recognition at future meetings - watch for the postings. What is a Paul Harris Fellow? When $1000 is contributed to The Rotary Foundation, a request can be made for an individual to be recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow. When a person is recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow, they are presented with a Certificate signed by the Rotary International President and the Chairman of the Trustees of The Rotary Foundation, and a lapel pin and medallion. The contribution to The Rotary Foundation can be made in one sum or by cumulative giving over a number of years.

Up next during the jam packed meeting was Sig Murphy thanking his board for their work this past year. Each was presented with a crystal award from Sig Murphy. Board members were Phil Albin, Vice-President, Kathy David, Secretary, Rose Ann Holzman, Treasurer, Terri Whitman, Sergeant at Arms, Diane Probst, President-Elect, Kari Kelley, Foundation Chair, Darren Sigwald, Service, Angie Ruddock, Membership, Steve Clarkson and Melvin Driess, Oysterfest and Nancy Paulson, Taste of Rockport.

Diane Probst then awarded Sig his thank you gift from the club for his service as President for Rotary year 2013-2014. Sig was very pleased to serve and is happy to have a clock to recognize it so he doesn't have to rely on his cell phone for the time. Diane also gave Sig his Past President badge. Sig in turn started the transfer of leadership by presenting Diane her President badge.

Transferring the Gavel

An important part of any organization's business is the transferring of the gavel from one leader to the next. The Rotary year starts July 1, so clubs have there transfers happen at the near the end of June. This selection of photos tells the story of Rockport Rotary's transfer. Can you guess out going and incoming?

Diane then shared and gave gave pins to her Board of Directors. From the Right in the picture - Diane Probst, President, Kathy David, President Elect, Stephenie Cochran, Secretary, Ruth Davis, Sergeant at Arms, Myra Kline, Scholarship Foundation President, JD Debler, Administration, Kari Kelley, Treasurer, John Jackson, Foundation, Phyllis Kline, Service, Linda Collins and Maddie Legner (not shown), Membership, Sig Murphy, Past President, and Debra Smith, Public Relations.

Congratulations and here's to a productive Rotary year for Rockport Rotary Club.