What's Up in 2010-2011

August 23, 2010 by Peter Thomson

The Elizabeth City Rotary Club has long been known for its commitment to education with its strong scholarship program and several “Student Recognition” days a year. This year the focus is intensified. Under the stewardship of Service Chair, Sharon Tanner, we’ve committed to “Rotary Reads” a new program to help young students attaining necessary reading and comprehension skills. EC Rotary member Linwood Williams identified to the club the need for one-on-one mentorship for young students and the response from the club was overwhelming. We’re committed to over 500 hours of mentoring within the Pasquotank County School System.

Other strong educational programs include our expanded Four Way Test Contest, expanding the scope of our student recognition days to include private academies, funding at least one student in the AVID program and keeping up with the 15 to 18 scholarships we award every year. We’re proud to partner with the area schools and enjoy meeting these outstanding young people.

And that’s not all we’re doing. This year we’re back into fund raising with “The Rotary Auction, a Sweetheart of a Deal” on February 5th. It should be a great time at The Center. And on November 17th we’ll hold “Breakfast with Andy” at Albemarle Hospital. From 7 to 9 AM gourmet chef Andy Montero owner of Montero’s will serve a tasty breakfast to all comers with proceeds going to Polio Plus, the Rotary International program that matches funds with the Gates Foundation to eradicate Polio throughout the world.
It’s a great program and we hope to get a lot of community support at this event.

Not that there isn’t time for fun! President Elect Rich Olsen is planning away on the Annual Christmas Party to be held at Montero’s the 15th of December, and thinking about another Rotary Theater Night in May when area clubs get together at an Encore Theatre Presentation. Jennifer Priest, our Public Relations chair has gathered together two new fun programs for meetings with Good Bucks/Bad Bucks and the Mystery Rotarian of the Month. Will Nixon, (Secretary) and Lee Watson, (Treasurer) have gotten the organization off to a solid start with updating the data both in our own files and in District data bases while Walt Smith as Sergeant at Arms keeps us in line and is the busiest guy at the meetings. Great job guys! Ann Hoffman oversees an outstanding series of speakers which has traditionally given Elizabeth City Rotary the reputation of being a critical forum for new ideas. Ann and Rich between them are planning “lunches out” where we hold a meeting somewhere other than at our favorite home “The Pines”.

And we don’t forget that we’re proud to be part of Rotary International. Mickey Golden with his team that includes Donnie Gardner and Scott Eckholdt are planning programs with insightful looks at the RI system of grants, and planning to bring some of the “doers” to the podium over the year. While this goes on Russell Hull, (Membership Chair) with the help of George Little and Sandra Ray is telling the world what a great club we are and why membership in Elizabeth City Rotary combines fun, fellowship and service to the community.

And we’re moving into the electronic age with a vengeance. Under the steward ship of Admin Chair Wayne Harris and help from Jennifer Priest, www.ecrotary.org will be a beacon for those who want to know what Rotary does and a great resource for the members. Past present and future information will be available to all, electronically, thanks to Wayne.

Meanwhile Past President Steve Clark (an IT guy after all) helps everyone with the 1s and Os while acting as Music Maven for the club. His transition was impeccable, his help, invaluable.

As President, I get the great job of watching these outstanding Chairpersons and helpers organize an expanded vibrant series of meetings and events. At Elizabeth City Rotary it’s Service Above Self…and have fun doing it.

Thanks to these dedicated folks we’re going to have a great year.

Peter Thomson
President