My Dear Rotary Family,

I hope you are enjoying your summer and please watch the heat, watch over the elderly, and check on your neighbors and of course your pets. 

I was fortunate to have lunch with a fellow Rotarian this week.  He wanted to meet to discuss how he wanted to get more involved with the club.  He has a long history of community service, on the Board of a large service organization, and on the Board of another civic organization.  We discussed why he became a Rotarian, for the most part, it is usually the same answer.  How Rotary was a local and international service organization and he wanted to continue serving the community.  However, the focus turned to the individuals of Rotary and how they represent the club and the community.  He went on to say that he has more to offer and wanted to be more involved, possibly serve on the Board.  After our lunch, I found myself more inspired and invigorated to accomplish more and more. 

 

My week continued to get even better as your Board met for its annual Retreat followed by the July Board meeting.  The main discussion was first and foremost to continue the support of Webb School.  Another discussion was to restart fundraising to get our club back to the financial stability we once had.  Since COVID, fundraising has been placed on the shelf.  It is time to start our fundraising to continue to support our local and international commitments.  Our new Fund Chair Chad Bates has been working feverishly to achieve this goal.

 

Randy Hendricks challenged the Board to bring in at least one new member.  That would be an increase of $13,000 to the Operating Budget. Imagine if our club of 160 brought in a new member; that would be an increase of $77,000 to the budget.  Not that this is realistic, but what a thought.  This club is made up of the best of the best of this city and I know you associate with the best of the best of this city, so why not?   What if the past members said that this is not realistic, would this club have made 100 years?  So why not?  I challenge every member to try to bring in a new member so the next generation of Rotary Club of Arlington members can celebrate another 100 years. Call me a dreamer, but I consider myself in good company, Christopher Columbus, Orville and Wilbur Wright, and Chuck Yeager just to name a few.  Go big or go home.

 

The meeting was called to order by President Barry Bondurant. Bryan Roberts gave the invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America. The Rotarians participated in a rousing chorus of “God Bless America.” Shirley Cox introduced visiting Rotarians and guests. We had one visitor introduced. Keep inviting people to Rotary!

 

Announcements: Barry displayed the QR code and reminded us to log our volunteer hours online through Club Runner.

 

Randy Hendricks encouraged us all to attend the Rotary district events.

 

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

 

Don Mebus led the Club in a decent rendition of The Good Old Summer Time. Don noted that the song is over 100 years old and provided us with a Mebus original version of the lyrics about Texas summers. Don noted that he has no idea of the etymology of Tootsie Wootsie. Don was enthusiastic as always.

 

Sally Hopper announced birthdays and anniversaries: Fred Buehrer, Peter Scott, Konstantin Maslenikov, and Ify Uzomah had birthdays. The club sang happy birthday the members. Sally recognized the following Rotarians for their Rotary Anniversaries: Dixon Holman, 5 years, Earl Harcrow, 14 years.

 

Barry Bondurant introduced the program for the day Keri Parker Berry, director of Arlington’s Convention and Event Services. Keri has an impressive resume which took Barry several minutes to read through. I encourage you to listen to the meeting recording to hear more about Keri.

 

Keri discussed the important work which conventions and event services performs in keeping Arlington a vibrant location for entertainment and events from across the world. Keri highlighted the importance of relating to a multitude of different generations, ethnicities, and cultural groups.

 

Keri discussed the E Sports center, various professional sports teams in Arlington – more than I had realized we had, and the entertainment and cultural attractions.

 

Keri also discussed the pending decision from the World Cup on which round or rounds Arlington will host. She stated that the decision and announcement as to whether Arlington will host the final should be made in the fall. Mauricio Galante stated that the announcement will be October 1, but Keri emphasized that such a prediction of a specific date was solely from Mauricio and not from Keri.

 

Barry presented Keri with a book to be signed by Keri, which Rotary will donate to Webb Elementary in honor of her presentation.

 

Dan Blumberg’s Last Laugh wasn’t subtle.

He proceeded bravely, not one to muddle.

Quoting Hubcap old

He spoke out bold

And our hopes for dignity did scuttle.

 

 

Next week’s meeting will be at J Gilligan’s.

 

Barry thanked our guest and everyone else for attending. He then led the club in the Four Way Test and adjourned the meeting.