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2009 Awards Night
2009 Awards Night & Demotion Party Print E-mail
Friday, 03 July 2009 11:35

Club Roasts Outgoing President and Honors the Year’s Most Outstanding Rotarians

 
By Kim Kelliher
 
The Rotary Club of Temecula honored its outstanding Rotarians and roasted outgoing President Rusty Manning on June 27 with a gala event at Wilson Creek Winery. Winning top honors as Rotarian of the Year was new member Kent Demuth, for his invaluable contributions to the club and many, many hours of service.
 
In his presentation, President Rusty noted that Kent has spent more than 400 hours revamping the club’s website and communication systems this year, led the way on key matching grants and International projects, and participated in every major club event. He also created impressive displays highlighting our Club projects for District Conference and District Assembly and has been an active promoter for PolioPlus. A former member of the Naperville Rotary, Kent has been a tireless champion for our club since he joined us in August. Congratulations Kent, and many thanks for an incredible year!
 
Also honored during the night were the following Award recipients:
 
  • Liz Simeteys – Rookie Rotarian of the Year
  • Barb Langdon – Mike Donaldson “Big Heart” Award
  • Bernie Bramante – Leif Houkom “Service Above Self” Award
  • Paul Simeteys – John ‘Ted’ Schulte “Humanitarian of the Year” Award
(Click on the lead title for more photos)
 
A special presentation was made to member Leif Houkom for his nearly 40 years of service to Rotary International. Leif attended the gala with his wife, Jean, and was honored for his generous contributions to the Paul Harris Foundation, his 38-plus years of Perfect Attendance, and his exceptional dedication to Rotary. The new Leif Houkom “Service Above Self” Award will be presented annually to a deserving Rotarian and will include a Paul Harris derived from the club’s matching points. Bernie was this year’s recipient for his exceptional service to the Club and the success of his champion project, the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.
 
Meanwhile, the theme of the night was “The Wizard of Oddz,” which culminated with a hilarious skit by the Not-Ready-for-Rotary Players (a.k.a. – Temecula Rotary’s biggest hams). Karolin DiCristina starred as Dorothy, along with Dave Thompson as the Lion, Steve Fillingim as The Tin Man, and Shane Lesovsky as the Scarecrow. Rachel Mason cowed the audience with her Wicked Witch, while her Flying Monkeys -- Sue Kelley, Darcy Jones and Jeff Gavitt – were a huge hit! Kim Kelliher dazzled as Glinda the Good Witch, until her strawberry blonde locks went flying off and got tangled in her wand in the funniest wardrobe malfunction of the night.
 
After the fun, our new president for 2009-10, Dr. Jeanne McClellan, wiped away her tears of laughter and inducted the new Board. Cheers to a great Rotary New Year!
 
 
Demotion Party and Awards Night Print E-mail
Tuesday, 30 June 2009 07:32

Rotary Club of Temecula honors 2008-9 President Rusty Manning and welcomes 2009-10 President Jeanne McClellan at annual demotion party and awards held at Wilson Creek Winery on June 27th.

Congratulations to 2008-9 Rotary Club of Temecula Award recipients:

First, to the Officers, Board Members and Directors for their service to the club for the past year:

Programs -  Liz Simeteys; Membership -  Karen Schneider and Karen Rathowski; Youth Service - David Frank; Vocational Service - Bernine Bramante; RYLA - Debbie Lindberg; Interact & Music Competition - Sally Myers; Foundation - Darcy Jones; International - Dale Machen; Club Service - Sue Kelley; Community Service - Jim Howe; Sgt. At Arms - Dennis Frank; Treasurer/CFA - Joanna Quiqley; Treasurer - Bill Locklin; Secretary - Kim Kelliher; Vice President - Steve Yager; President Elect - Jeanne McClellan; and Assistant Governor - Dave Thompson.

The club members thank you for your hard work and dedication to our club and to Rotary!

 
Special Awards given to members by President Rusty:

John “Ted” Schulte Humanitarian of the Year Award -   Given for extraordinary deeds for humanity. Paul Simeteys Just joined the club in January of last year. Dr. Pat Pat does four trips each year to Mexico (Loredo/San Javier) to help the people in a remote village there – he takes a doctor and dentist along. When his dentist couldn’t make it at the last minute, Pat called Paul Simeteys and asked him to come along. He agreed and “was awesome” according to Pat… worked hard and long. And now he’s hooked and has already offered to be a regular on these humanitarian trips.  

Leif Houkom Award “Service Above Self”  Given because Leif represents a true Rotarian through his dedication to perfect attendance (38 years) and his huge financial contributions to The Rotary Foundation. This will be a new annual award for those that embody Rotary’s “Service Above Self” in a way that mirrors Leif’s dedication.  First recipient of this award is Bernie Bramante for his countless hours in service to our club and the community. He always gives tirelessly and with a BIG smile on his face.
 
Highlights:
-        He was the workhorse behind our successful efforts to send free books to 500 local children this year thru the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. He is the reason this program has been hugely successful and will be a big part of our club in the future.
-        And he dedicated countless other hours to whatever the club needed… from being the resident photographer, to playing on the Rotary Renegades basketball team, to working on International projects. Bernie never says no!!
Bernie was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship for his great work.
 
Mike Donaldson “Big Heart” Award -   The award for hugest heart in our club this year goes to Barb Langdon.   She has a big heart for the military. She was the impetus behind efforts to send local military families on free trips to the Corn Maze. And she helped make sure young marines had a place to go for Thanksgiving dinner – she even rode a shuttle all the way to San Diego on Thanksgiving Day to greet them! She has a big heart for teens and will never miss a year of RYLA!! She is a “mom” to every teen she encounters up there, and they love her. She also just last month agreed to take over as adviser to the Interact Club at Great Oak HS.   She has a Big Heart for our club. Worked tirelessly, along with Wendy Cramer, on the Harlem Ambassadors event this year and made it our year’s most successful fundraiser!
 
Rookie Rotarian of the Year -  Given to Liz Simeteys for stepping up as a brand new Rotarian to take on BIG responsibilities.  Stepped in to take over the job of Programs.  Was active in several committees and nearly all of the club’s projects this year. And has already spent many hours with the club’s new Financial assistant to re-organize our financials to match the new Rotary Leadership Plan.  Has a quiet dedication that goes un-noticed my most but really gets things done!!
 
Rotarian of the Year - This new member who just joined our club in August of last year…. Congratulation Kent Demuth!!
 
Highlights -
-        He has spent more than 400 hours redesigning and updating our website to make it something we can truly be proud of as a club.

-        Kent took the lead on International Projects, and was successful at securing Matching Grants and partnerships with other clubs that has enabled our club to have a huge impact internationally this year. He has opened up a whole new world to our club and what we can achieve!

-        When no-one else was available to do it, Kent created our club’s display for the District Conference highlighting all of our accomplishments this year.

-        He has given several presentations to other clubs – and at District Conference – on PolioPlus and is a recognized Rotary leader on the topic.

-        He has created better tools of communication for our club… including an automated email program, Club Updates, and even a slide-show during the meetings that lets members know birthdays, club anniversaries and other important dates.

-        He’s been involved in countless Board meetings, committee meetings and every single service project that Rotary took on this year.

-        He was a former Rotarian in Naperville, IL, but Kent… we just have to say, we are soooo glad you moved to Temecula!!
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Rotary Avenues of Service

Rotary’s commitment to Service Above Self is channeled through four Avenues of Service, which form the foundation of Rotary.

Club Service

Club Service focuses on strengthening fellowship and ensuring the smooth functioning of Rotary clubs.

Vocational Service

Vocational Service involves club members serving others through their professions and aspiring to high ethical standards. Rotarians, as business leaders, share skills and expertise through their vocations, and they inspire others in the process.

Community Service

Community Service is the opportunity Rotary clubs have to implement club projects and activities that improve life in the local community.

International Service

International Service encompasses efforts to expand Rotary’s humanitarian reach around the world and to promote world understanding and peace. It includes everything from contributing to PolioPlus to helping Rotary Youth Exchange students adjust to their host countries.