Our Annual Meeting

At the Annual Meeting of the Club on December 2, we elected the following slate of officers who will be installed next July 1st.

The Following Slate of Officers was elected at our Annual Meeting

Robert Elmer—President 2015-2016

Bob’s term will begin on July 1, 2015 as he takes over for President Doug. Bob is a three time Rotary President, having served our club for two years from 2010-2012 and a one year term as a member of the Rotary Club of Mystic. Bob is a multiple Paul Harris Fellow who joined our club in 2006. He is the former administrator of the Elms, an assisted living retirement community in Westerly, and is now a popular lecturer and columnist writing about care for those with Alzheimer's disease.

Stephen Cofone - President-elect (to be President 2016-17)

Steve joined the club back in 1982 and served as President from 1986-87. He has been active in many ways over the years including oversight of the popular Football Night every November and co-chairing the Scholarship Auction which raises the funds needed that allow us to grant two $2,000 college scholarships each year. He was recently named Institutional Preceptor of the Year for his work with students enrolled in pharmacy studies at the University of St. Joseph in West Hartford. He lives in Westerly and has been a staff pharmacist at the Lawrence & Memorial Hospital. For the last seventeen years.

Chris Dipaola -Vice President (to be President 2017-18)

Chris is another past President of our club. He’s coming back for a second term. He joined the club in 2001 and served as President from 2005-2006. Chris can always be seen at Rotary events with a smile and a helping hand. Often pressed into duty as an Master of Ceremony, Chris is never at a loss for words. Chris got into the radio business at an early age and now owns and operates the WBLQ 1230 AM radio station. He is active in the Chamber of Commerce and is a past president of the Downtown Business Association.

Rosemarie Russo - Secretary/Treasurer

Rose joined the club in 2008 and immediately got involved as the editor of the Tattler, our weekly newsletter. She was elected to the Board of Directors in 2009. In 2011,just two years later, she was elected as the secretary of the club. When Treasurer in 2012. Rose owns her own consulting business and when she isn’t earning a living or doing Rotary business, she spends her free time singing with the Chorus of Westerly.

Doug Rayner - Immediate Past President

Doug joined the club in 1971. In his 43 years as a Rotarian he has served in many capacities. This past year marked the second time that Doug had served as President. He also held that office back in 1979-80. Doug also served as the club’s secretary for many years. In his professional life, Doug is a retired obstetrician who some people think delivered every baby born in town over the last fifty years. He has a driving force behind Summer Pops and a major supported of the Chorus of Westerly. A long time UCONN Husky fan and doting father and grandfather, Doug is looking forward to passing the baton next July.

Cal Lord - Board of Directors (At large)

Cal came to the club in 2011 from the Rotary Club of Norwich, Connecticut after having served there for twenty years. He jumped on board and in December 2011 he was elected as the President-elect. Due to a personal crisis, the person elected to be President had to step aside and Cal was elected to serve. He ended up doing a two year term from 2012 –14. Cal serves as the Pastor of Central Baptist Church of Westerly and is also the President of the Westerly Pawcatuck Clergy Association.

Brian Gerbutavich - Board of Directors (At large)

Brian was first introduced to the club at Summer Pops as he and his wife, Janet, came to help out at the concession stand in 2012. Brian officially joined the club in January of 2014. He has the heart of a volunteer, having volunteered on short term mission trips with Central Baptist Church, cooked meals at the WARM Shelter and volunteered for various functions at the Westerly Yacht Club. Brian lives in Westerly and works at Electric Boat as a procurement manager.