The Garland Rotary Club was proud to have Beverly Grogan, District 5810 governor and Walt McCool, assistant governor, at a recent meeting. Grogan talked about some positive changes in the organization and installed new officers.
Grogan explained that changes are required for the organization to last another 150 years and one of the new policies is that individual clubs have been given autonomy to pursue projects of their choice, in their own way.
“There isn’t anything that you will think of that you might want to do with your club, that you can’t do,” Grogan said.
She also explained another change that should help increase membership. Different types of memberships have been added and for individuals who would like to be part of the organization but cannot attend the weekly lunches, satellite groups can now be formed. These satellite groups can set a meeting time that works with their schedules. Grogan also said that more partnerships with other organizations will be formed.
There will be an emphasis on literacy and clean water for everyone in the United States and there will be an emphasis on honoring America’s veterans.
“Let’s just be sure that the veterans who have given so much for us feel the love back,” Grogan said.
She promises a fun year that will include a road trip to New Mexico to see one of the clean water projects as well as a trip to the Rose Parade to work on the Rotary Club float.
This year’s theme is ‘Rotary Connects the World.’
Mary Whitt was installed as president and Dr. Franca Mbanaja-Opara was installed as president-elect. Anthony Abeyemo, was recognized as outgoing president and received a Paul Harris Plus Two award. Dr. Grace Smart, Rosa Williams and Garland ISD Board of Trustees Member Linda Griffin were also in attendance.
The Garland Rotary Club has been serving Garland and surrounding communities since 1927. For more than 30 years, they have hosted an annual Christmas celebration for local underprivileged children. More recently, the group has partnered with the Grace Center Texas to provide dental care to underserved and indigent adults and children. According to the District 5810 website, other activities include education and job training, combatting hunger and working to eradicate polio.
The 35,000+ Rotary Clubs work together to help accomplish the activities above, plus many more.