Change of Command Ceremony, 2 July 2012
Posted by Rosemarie Russo
on Jul 05, 2012
President Bob rang the bell at 5:30 to begin the festivities with the Pledge of Allegiance to the great flag of the United States. This was followed by an Invocation by Rev. (Past President) Clark Rumfelt. Greeting special guests attending installation of Incoming President Cal Lord, President Bob announced Past District Governor William "Bill" and Mrs. Tina Vangel, Assistant District Governor Russell and Mrs. Karen Bertrand, Past Westerly Rotary First Lady Ada Elmer, Incoming Westerly Rotary First Lady Lori Lord, Sarah Lord (daughter of Cal Lord), Westerly Fire Chief David Sayles, Past Chief of Stonington Police Dept David and Mrs. Marcia Erskine.
Secretary Rose was asked to announce other special guests including Visiting Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Norwich, CT - Gary Young, Dr. and Mrs. Hong, and Barry Shead; Visiting Rotary from Rotary Club of Green Valley, AZ and Westerly Past President Joseph and Mrs. Carol Potter; Visiting Rotarian from Rotary Club of Kalamazoo, MI Robert and Mrs. Marti Boughner; Visiting Rotarian from Rotary Club of Tampa Bay, FL Sharon Jacovi; New Executive Director of WARM Shelter Russell Partridge; Parishioners of Central Baptist Church Cindy Capizzano, Frederick and Meredith Eckel, Bill Garrity, Brian and Janet Gerbutavich, Harry and Barbara Higgins, Lisa LaPointe and Craig Stron, Tony and Kay Perrone; Rotary Club of Westerly Members and Wives Dan and Florence Alvino, Frank and Donna Celico, Mario Celico, Chris and Lana DiPaola, John Huhtala, Walter Kimball, Joseph Nigrelli, Doug and Jean Rayner, Ron Roberts, Clark and Valerie Rumfelt, Rosemarie Russo, Steve and Valerie Salerno, and Roy Seitsinger.
Special anniversary wishes were extended to Marti and Bob Boughner, who celebrated 59 years of marriage on July 3rd and to Donna and Frank Celico, who will celebrate 48 years of marriage on July 4th.
Happy and sad dollars collected by acting Sergeant-at-arms Mario Celico garnered $191.00 and Incoming President Cal Lord said that these funds would be donated to PolioPlus.
Visiting Rotarians Joe Potter and Bob Boughner were asked to come forward. Earlier this year, the Board voted to make these two fine gentlemen Honorary Members of our Club for all the support they have given while in summer residence in Westerly. They were given Certificates and Honorary Member badges.
Venice Restaurant provided a wonderful buffet dinner with salad, potatoes, mixed vegetables, chicken and pasta. Great desserts of cheesecakes, tarts, and chocolate cake were provided by Mario Celico.
While attendees enjoyed coffee and dessert, Incoming President Cal shared a video presentation of the President Bob's past two years "at the helm". President Bob then spoke a few words about the Club's accomplishments and awards and closed with a thank you to Ada, the Board and the membership. Past District Governor Bill addressed the group and stated that this was the start of a new Rotary year. He thanked the Club for its support, in particular, for contributions to Rotary Foundation, noting that every dollar given to RF helps a project somewhere in the world. Thanking President Bob for his leadership and dedication over the past two years, Cal presented him with a Past President Gavel/plaque and Badge. Attendees stood to give President Bob a well deserved thank you and First Lady Ada was given a bouquet of flowers and a "women in Rotary" pin.
Joe Potter came forward to say a few words about Cal, calling him the "energizer bunny", and he thanked Lori for giving him to the Club. He then led Cal in reciting the oath of office and this was then followed by the Board officers standing to also recite their oath of office.
Speaking his first words as President of the Rotary Club of Westerly for the 2012/2013 year, President Cal recalled an invitation to attend a Rotary meeting in Norwich a few years ago and learning that Rotary meets every week - "kind of like attending church". He said that he loved Rotary and found that it was a very unique organization in that it is an organization that "looks outward to make a better world". He said that Rotarians are people who care, who put service for others above self needs. His goal is to grow the Club during his year so we can do more and perhaps change a life.
With the gavel handed off, our dinner meeting was adjourned.
Secretary Rose was asked to announce other special guests including Visiting Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Norwich, CT - Gary Young, Dr. and Mrs. Hong, and Barry Shead; Visiting Rotary from Rotary Club of Green Valley, AZ and Westerly Past President Joseph and Mrs. Carol Potter; Visiting Rotarian from Rotary Club of Kalamazoo, MI Robert and Mrs. Marti Boughner; Visiting Rotarian from Rotary Club of Tampa Bay, FL Sharon Jacovi; New Executive Director of WARM Shelter Russell Partridge; Parishioners of Central Baptist Church Cindy Capizzano, Frederick and Meredith Eckel, Bill Garrity, Brian and Janet Gerbutavich, Harry and Barbara Higgins, Lisa LaPointe and Craig Stron, Tony and Kay Perrone; Rotary Club of Westerly Members and Wives Dan and Florence Alvino, Frank and Donna Celico, Mario Celico, Chris and Lana DiPaola, John Huhtala, Walter Kimball, Joseph Nigrelli, Doug and Jean Rayner, Ron Roberts, Clark and Valerie Rumfelt, Rosemarie Russo, Steve and Valerie Salerno, and Roy Seitsinger.
Special anniversary wishes were extended to Marti and Bob Boughner, who celebrated 59 years of marriage on July 3rd and to Donna and Frank Celico, who will celebrate 48 years of marriage on July 4th.
Happy and sad dollars collected by acting Sergeant-at-arms Mario Celico garnered $191.00 and Incoming President Cal Lord said that these funds would be donated to PolioPlus.
Visiting Rotarians Joe Potter and Bob Boughner were asked to come forward. Earlier this year, the Board voted to make these two fine gentlemen Honorary Members of our Club for all the support they have given while in summer residence in Westerly. They were given Certificates and Honorary Member badges.
Venice Restaurant provided a wonderful buffet dinner with salad, potatoes, mixed vegetables, chicken and pasta. Great desserts of cheesecakes, tarts, and chocolate cake were provided by Mario Celico.
While attendees enjoyed coffee and dessert, Incoming President Cal shared a video presentation of the President Bob's past two years "at the helm". President Bob then spoke a few words about the Club's accomplishments and awards and closed with a thank you to Ada, the Board and the membership. Past District Governor Bill addressed the group and stated that this was the start of a new Rotary year. He thanked the Club for its support, in particular, for contributions to Rotary Foundation, noting that every dollar given to RF helps a project somewhere in the world. Thanking President Bob for his leadership and dedication over the past two years, Cal presented him with a Past President Gavel/plaque and Badge. Attendees stood to give President Bob a well deserved thank you and First Lady Ada was given a bouquet of flowers and a "women in Rotary" pin.
Joe Potter came forward to say a few words about Cal, calling him the "energizer bunny", and he thanked Lori for giving him to the Club. He then led Cal in reciting the oath of office and this was then followed by the Board officers standing to also recite their oath of office.
Speaking his first words as President of the Rotary Club of Westerly for the 2012/2013 year, President Cal recalled an invitation to attend a Rotary meeting in Norwich a few years ago and learning that Rotary meets every week - "kind of like attending church". He said that he loved Rotary and found that it was a very unique organization in that it is an organization that "looks outward to make a better world". He said that Rotarians are people who care, who put service for others above self needs. His goal is to grow the Club during his year so we can do more and perhaps change a life.
With the gavel handed off, our dinner meeting was adjourned.
Interested in being a sponsor?
Download the website sponsorship guide
Download the website sponsorship guide