“Lend a Hand to the Family of Rotary” – We had a picnic, a wine tasting, and a Holiday party; a barbecue welcomed new members and families.  Members who missed meetings were called and those who were ill, or needed support, were contacted.

“Lend a Hand to the Club” – Every member took a turn at “weekly responsibilities” and twelve members found excellent speakers for our meetings.  Members of the 03-04 Board met monthly to keep the operations of the club on track.  The 04-05 incoming officers have prepared themselves by participating in several training sessions.

“Lend a Hand to Your Vocation” – All members received copies of the “Declaration of Rotarians in Business and Professions” so we are reminded of the commitment Rotarians make to the work that we do.  We also held two meetings in workplaces.

“Lend a Hand to Your Community” – We didn’t miss a beat in our service to the elderly poor through delivering Meals-on-Wheels.  Many members helped distribute dictionaries to all third graders in San Marcos schools.  When fires devastated nearby, we gave a substantial donation to a special fund and then sold teddy bears so we could adopt a family whose home was destroyed.  We still provided gifts for another indigent family at Christmas.  We supported San Marcos summer concerts, provided college scholarships, donated funds to the Boys and Girls Club and to the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, and we sent four youth and a facilitator to RYLA.  Our Interact club donated over 700 hours of service to the community and we worked side by side with them to fix up houses during San Marcos VIBE.  To top everything off, we participated in the San Marcos Munchkin Street Fair to provide parents with kids ID kits (compliments of Prudential).  And we obtained a community foundation matching grant to help fund our Centennial Community Project.

“Lend a Hand to Your World” – Many members, as well as Interactors, were able to participate in building a “castle” in Tijuana for a family that had previously slept in a “shack”.  Person-to-person interaction was begun with members of a Tijuana Rotary club.  Thanks to obtaining District and RI matching funds, we successfully completed purchase and installation of six computers for the blind in India and two of our members were able to attend the District conference there.  We also helped a school for the blind in Chile.  We were able to hear about Rotary in the Netherlands from an IDG, some members hosted the GSE team from Ecuador, and one member attended the Rotary International Convention in Japan.  We also increased the number of people who donated to the Rotary International Foundation Annual Giving Fund.

In addition to all these activities to “Lend a Hand” this year, we also carried out a successful fundraiser so we can “Celebrate Rotary” in Centennial Year 2004-05.

What a terrific Rotary Club!  Thanks for letting me serve as your president in 2003-04!

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