On June 29, 2011, the outgoing president of the Savannah West Rotary Club, Boyce Young, gave the following address to the membership. The occasion was the Annual Junking Party, an opportunity for the membership to thank the outgoing officers and welcome the new.
Boyce Young's remarks give a wonderful inside look at what this club represents and how it addresses its commitment to the Rotary motto: "Service above self."
The following is the text of Boyce's speech:
"It's my opinion that during the Rotary year 2010·2011 the Rotary Club of Savannah West has truly lived up to Governor Lloyd Horadan's motto of "Building Communities & Bridging Continents". One of the first projects that we tackled was developing a Sister Club agreement with The Rotary Club of Lahore Midtown, Pakistan. Shortly after consummating that sister club agreement, Pakistan was ravaged by one of the worst floods in the country's history. Our club rallied and sent $1,000.00 for flood relief. We were comforted in the fact that our money went to fellow Rotarians who were directly involved in distribution of goods needed by victims of the natural disaster. We were comforted in the knowledge that we had a direct connection with fellow Rotarians who prevented any portion of our money from falling into the wrong hands and that 100% went to the ones who needed it.
While the responsibilities of any Rotary Club President are many and demanding of one's time, I can't think of any job that has been more rewarding personally. Serving as the president of the Rotary Club of Savannah West has certainly been an honor and a privilege. I entered into this task with more fear than confidence. It has proven to be one of the most rewarding projects that I've ever undertaken. It's opened my eyes to Rotary and its missions around the world. I've learned this year that Rotary is certainly a vessel to help promote a lasting peace in a troubled world. It's opened my eyes to the goodness and kindness in people's hearts. I've truly learned that most all of us really want to make a deference in the world in which we live. Our world is surely getting smaller and yes, more dangerous, but as Rotarians we can make a difference. We can change the lives of people locally and around the world. I honestly believe that if politicians and governments around this world lived by the Rotary motto of "Service above Self", there simply wouldn't be a place for greed and self serving political agendas.
As Pam Parker once said during her presidency, this year changed me from being a member of Rotary to becoming a Rotarian. There is a huge difference in the two. When it happens to you, you'll know it.
Just to mention a few of the other highlights of our year I think of:
1) Attending PETS and meeting hundreds of people just like me, scared to death, but willing to serve.
2) Attending training activities in Sandersville and in Vidalia. Playing golf with Sun Breza after the training sessions in Vidalia were over and getting drenched in the rain, but making a new friend.
3) Sorting Days at METS with new and old friends. Looking at the pictures of Rotarians loading containers here in Savannah and at the opening of the same container in East Africa. Seeing the faces of the mothers and children as they celebrate the arrival of the container with hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of medical equipment.
4) CART: The little blue buckets on our tables each week that stand for Coins for Alzheimer's Research Trust.
5) Our clubs efforts toward the First Foundation for Childhood Literacy.
6) Our GRSP student Craig Macintosh. A great kid from New Zealand with a fresh perspective on our country, our people, our customs and our education system. Every time we saw Craig, he had a smile on his face and when we parted, we had a smile on our face.
7) GRSP Conclave, held here in Savannah.
8) Our preparation of food baskets for Thanksgiving and toys for Christmas for families who are less fortunate than ourselves.
9) Working with the Marines on "Toys for Tots".
10) Ringing the bell for Salvation Army during the Christmas season.
11) Even the loss of our good friend and fellow Rotarian Rex Thorne who was our clubs organizer for the "Ringing of the Bells".
12) A meeting held on the campus of Bethesda Home for Boys and walking around the campus as a group. This meeting planted the seed in the hearts of some to get involved in starting an interact Club at Bethesda, giving these young men an opportunity to organize a Rotary affiliated club on campus and to learn at a early age the importance and rewards of giving back to your community and worthy causes around the globe.
13) Meeting with a group of our Rotarians with the commanding officer of Hunter Army Airfield concerning a potential fund raiser for children of fallen soldiers.
14) Collecting items for the returning soldiers of the 4th Brigade.
15) Our weekly lunch meetings and fantastic weekly programs.
16) Our monthly Board meetings, working with some of the greatest men and women I've ever known.
17) Attending our District Conference in Augusta and bringing home not only a Gold Club award but also the banner for being the BEST medium size club in District 6920.
Wow .......... What a year!
You guys & gals made it all possible!
I'm certain I've missed some accomplishments achieved by our club this year and I'll not attempt to name everyone individually for contributions made on behalf of our club. If I do, I'll certainly miss someone who deserves recognition. I do want to recognize some board members, officers, Club Directors and committee chairs. Without these Rotarians, this year's success would not have been possible.
1) Past President: Brad Lucas
2) Assistant Governor: Pam Parker
3) Vice President/President Elect: Sun Breza
4) Secretary: George Word
5) Treasurer: John Howard
6) Rotary Foundation: Dennis Leadbetter
7) Director: Carlton Hodges
8) Director: Carol Lawson
9) Director and GRSP Rep.: Barbara Martens
10) Director: Clate Ralston
11) Director: Wick Searcy
12) Community Service Chair: Andrew Clark
13) Fund Raising Chair: Pat Eager
14) Fund Raising Assistant Chair: Candice Clifton
15) GRSP Host Family and Programs Chair: Bonnie McMillan
16) Membership: David Bradley
17) Play it Forward / Public Relations / Web master: David Legasse
18) Vocational Service: Andy Krey
19) Sergeant at Arms: Will Black
It has been my privilege and honor to serve as your club president this year. Without your individual and collective efforts, none of what our club has accomplished this year would have been remotely possible. I would like to encourage each and every member of The Rotary Club of Savannah West, if you're not already; please get to that place where you become a Rotarian and not just a member of Rotary.
Thanks to all"
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