At the Installation Dinner one year ago, I asked each of you to pledge 100 minutes to serving Rotary and our community through the next twelve months.  Many of you headed the call (with some 4,813.36 hours reported and counting).  We began with planting one hundred packets of bluebonnet seeds, and I think all of us can agree it was a banner season for the beautiful blue hews throughout our fair city.  Along with RI President Jones, we Imagined a Centennial Year where we would invite members to re-engage, in some cases rejoin us, and reached out to attract new and younger members to ensure vibrancy in our club for years to come.  We saw some twenty-five members inducted with, due to normal life circumstances, an overall net of thirteen members.  We imagined a club more reflective of our community and created the Minority Business Recognition program where we introduced Rotary and the power of working together to a whole sector of business. Four businesses were recognized and introduced to our club.  Each were invited to join, and it looks promising we will yield a few. 

 

We imagined a way to honor the past accomplishments of our Club and ensure the community would have a greater appreciation of the impact.  Our roots in beginning the first park in Arlington and a sculpture garden there for Rotary’s one-hundredth birthday inspired our Centennial Project; the installation of what we now called “Boundless” and the creation of the Rotary Dream Park.  We have already seen how children and adults alike have come to interact with Boundless letting themselves imagine in its mirrors and interactive lights whatever they wish to accomplish in the American Dream City. 

 

We imagined finding a way to celebrate this once in a lifetime milestone and it was only fitting we celebrated on the UTA campus; the same land that our founding members signed our original charter.  The Celebration saw approximately 360 individuals join from all sectors of the city and Rotary.  While a wonderful evening was had by all, we managed to raise additional funds (over $90,000) that will be returned to the unrestricted portion of our local foundation to be used to continue our impactful work in the community. 

 

Finally, as president, I imagined entering into the installation dinner this year knowing we set goals and met them, honored our past and laid out the pathway for our second century, and found a way to remind each other that when we harness the power of purpose, almost anything can be achieved.  I smile knowing that I was given the honor to help walk this pathway with you all this Rotary year and I rejoin the ranks of Rotary, re-energized to share the power and passion of our collective mission.

2023-2024 President Barry Bondurant is more than a third-generation Rotarian, he grew up in an extended Rotary family, seven Bondurant Rotarians to be exact. The Bondurants are among the Club’s leading families during our first 100 years.  Barry’s grandfather was the first Bondurant member of our Club in the 1940s and wrote to Barry’s dad Fred Jr. during WWII about joining Rotary. Barry’s dad Fred became the second Bondurant member, and then Barry’s uncle Bill joined.  Two of Bill’s sons became Rotarians, Bill Jr. and Rob.  We’re up to five Bondurant Rotarians by that count. Barry began coming to Club meetings in his shirt and shorts since second grade.  About that time Fred got blindsided with “Fred, they just called your name!” He received his first 100% Percent Perfect Attendance Award. Fred was hooked!..and that meant his family was too.  That year began 65 years of 100% Perfect Attendance by Fred.  Barry reports that family trips were planned with an eye to where dad could get a Rotary makeup.  Somehow cousin Mike Bondurant escaped the pull of Rotary.  But Mike sent in a sub.  He recruited his racquetball buddy Jack Garbo to acquire his father Bill’s law practice, which led to Fred becoming Jack’s sponsor. Jack celebrates 30 years in 2023 and is a living tribute to his friend Fred.  The two did make-ups together over the years, including to needle Barry when he was a Rotarian in Mansfield. Barry acquired another adoptive family member when Fred sponsored Mike Wade, helping him build out Wade Family Funeral Home.  Mike celebrates 20 years as a member of our Club in 2023. Mike more than served to usher Barry’s father home when his time came, he ushed Barry’s grandfather into the DFW National Cemetery as well, maybe the only WWI veteran there Barry reports.  When Jack decided it was time for Barry to come home a few years ago, he was his sponsor.  What about brother Rick, who was Club President (1986-87), between Fred Jr (1955-56) and Barry? Well, enter Don Mebus.  Don’s dad Jerry wanted him in the Club.  But classifications were a BIG deal, Don being in “insurance” and Fred was the “insurance” guy.  Sooo…Fred became a Senior Active Rotarian, paving the way for Don to come in under “insurance.” Don liked that and told Fred he’d propose Rick as additional Active “insurance” whenever Fred gave the word…which he did in 1980.

 

Jim C Quick

President Victoria Farrar-Myers called the June 22, 2023 meeting of the Rotary Club of Arlington, Texas to order at 12:10pm. Derek Carter gave the invocation and led the club in the Pledge of Allegiance.  The Rotarians participated in a rousing chorus of “God Bless America.” Jake Enriquez introduced our visiting Rotarians and guests. Jake stepped in at the last minute as no one had signed up online to be the greeter for the meeting. REMINDER: SIGN UP TO LEAD PRAYER & PLEDGE OR TO ACT AS GREETER ONLINE AT www.arlingtonrotary.com! We had eleven visitors: Mauricio Galante, James Spaniolo and his wife Sue Spaniolo, Tanya Merlino, Theresa Crouch, Sela Vo, Bowie Hogg, Chris White, Jason Roach, Eric Hendricks and Kecia Mays. Keep sharing the news about Rotary and bringing your friends, acquaintances, frenemies, and rivals!

 

Announcements: Victoria reminded us that there will be NO LUNCH MEETING NEXT THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 2023. Instead the club will meet at 6:30 p.m. that evening at J Gillian’s for its annual Officer Installation.

 

Lou Ann O’Donnell announced that Shakespeare will be coming to the Levitt Pavilion in the future.

 

Jim Quick announced that a Rotary Peace Center will soon open in Turkey. I know some people prefer chicken, but I’ve always thought that Turkey was the better meat.

 

LeeAnne Chenoweth Lawson announced that tickets are still available for Timeless Concerts’ “From London to Rome” shows on July 8 and 15, 2023. The Timeless Concerts performances I have attended were excellent. I encourage you to go if you enjoy classical music, wine, entertainment, having a good time or other such activities.

 

Kay King announced that a Rotary blood drive will be held at the church on August 10, 2023. Carter Blood Care wants your blood.

 

Victoria bookended the announcements by encouraging us all to go to the club’s website to view centennial photos, videos and content.

 

Four new members received their Red Badges at the meeting: Eric Hendricks, Bowie Hogg, Jason Roach and James Spaniolo. Welcome to the Club!

 

Despite continual technical difficulties, Donna Mack managed to lead the club in a decent rendition of Fleetwood Mac’s song “Don’t Stop”. With Donna’s encouragement the whole club was clapping along and singing.

 

Sally Hopper announced birthdays and anniversaries: only one birthday, the intrepid Steve Brooks. The club sang happy birthday to Steve. Sally recognized the following Rotarians for their Rotary Anniversaries: Paul Fulks, 19 years; Nathaniel Hearne, 2 years; Derrick Kinney, 24 years; Joyce Stanton, 19 years.

 

Victoria announced that Don Duke has nominated the Rotary Club of Arlington for the Arlington Chamber of Commerce’s Non-Profit of the Year for 2023.

 

President-Elect Barry Bondurant introduced the day’s program, Crystal Steinborn, an employee at Arlington’s Animal Services. Crystal attended UTA where she majored in psychology and has worked with Arlington Animal Services for years.

 

Crystal informed that club about the many programs and services offered by Arlington Animal Services. AAS’ mission is “Working Together as a Community We Will Improve the Lives of Animals. If you are interested in fostering pets, volunteering to help at the shelter or learning more about animal services be sure to visit them online. If you are like Gloria Pena and are surrounded by undesired felines, AAS may be able to help.

 

Victoria presented Crystal with a children’s book, which the club will donate to the Webb Elementary School library in honor of Crystal’s presentation.  Crystal agreed to autograph it. 

 

Kris “Last Laugh” Landrith lackadaisically lampooned listening lunch-goers; left lilting laughter lingering lightly, livening listeners’ lusterless lives.

 

Next week’s meeting will be at 6:30pm at J Gilligan’s for the Officer Installation. I’m not sure how you install a Bondurant, but I’m looking forward to finding out.

 

Victoria thanked our guests and everyone else for attending. She then led the club in the Four Way Test and adjourned the meeting.