Spring Lake Rotary Scribes Report: Friday, June 29, 2018
President Transition
On the last Friday of June, with the temperature topping 90 degrees, members gathered outside on the patio at the SLCC for the transition of Presidents. To keep with tradition on this day, and to honor our neighbor to the north, Ed Grafton led the club in a chorus of O’ Canada. A couple awards were then distributed. Mark Kelley with a Paul Harris x 2 donation recognition, and then the Rotarian of the year award, which went to David Rhem this year. Unfortunately, Dave was not in attendance to accept his award, and was subsequently fined $10 for his absence.
Holly took the podium for her farewell address. Holly Johnson’s year at the helm was quick, but productive, with many positives achieved throughout the Rotary calendar year. She gave thanks to Kevin Green for graciously assisting in coordination of our weekly club meetings at the SLCC, and ensuring that our meals are always top notch. Special thanks also went to Lisa Ashcraft as our club treasurer, with her constant and diligent work behind the scenes to maintain our club’s healthy financial status. Thanks was also given to the Rotary Board, the leadership pipeline that is set to take the reins over the next 5 years, including Dave Stocking, John Nash, and Jess Garrison. World Community Service, and specifically Ginny Ryan and Barry Kram, were highlighted for their steadfast and relentless commitment to serving needy communities around the globe. Snow Jam, and the Snow Jam committee, with Dave Rhem at the helm, have been the driving force behind our funding abilities as a club, and that group continues to knock it out of the park each year with that event. A new project that Holly was happy that we could get involved in is still taking shape, but will come to fruition this fall. Our club will be partnering with the local Habitat for Humanity offices through the assistance of Vicki Coulson, and will be the lead sponsor, giving $15,000 from our Snow Jam proceeds towards building a home in Ferrysburg this September. Stefanie Herder and her work as the leader of the Public Relations committee, has done a fabulous job this year. She has helped to get the PR grant funding, and used the funds to maximize our marketing opportunities for the Spring Lake club. Finally, a new project that Holly is proud to have helped institute this year was working with the Spring Lake Village (Chris Burns) and the D.P.W. to have Rotarians assist with the flag placement and removal along Savidge Street.
Dave Stocking was sworn in as our new President, and thanked Holly for her service to the club. Dave is excited to take on this role, and loves being part of our group of Rotarians. Dave presented a Rotary vase to Holly as her parting gift from the club.
Holly graciously accepted her Rotary vase, and President’s plaque, which she will be proudly displaying in her new office in Grand Rapids. She has taken a new job downtown as the President of the Frey Foundation, beginning August 6th. Holly will most likely be transferring to the Grand Rapids Rotary Club at that time, but will assist Dave S. in his transition to his new role as President of our club. She will be missed.
50/50 Winner: Holly Johnson!
