President Christy Manning is optimistic about the future of Sunup Rotary, and she is excited about the year ahead.  She believes in "The Magic oF Rotary" — this year's theme chosen by RI President Stephanie Urchick.  She emphasized that Sunup Rotary is not her club — it is OUR club.   This is not her year — it is OUR year — and therein lies the Magic of Rotary.  The Magic happens when everyone in our club is parrticipating and working together to meet needs here in our community, as well as in other parts of the world, through our international service projects, which hav been a part of our club's proud tradition of being a leader in sponsoring Rotary Foundation Global Grant Projects.  She also emphasized that she will be working closely with Pres.-Elect Jane Anne Shimizu, and the President Nominee, when that person has been chosen, to assure that there will be a continuity of purpose and programs each year in the future..

 

Christy confirmed that the Sunup Duck Derby will continue to be our club's primary fundraiser, and she was excited to announce that Tiffany and Emmet Jones have volunteered to Chair the event this year.  She said there may additional fundraisers during the year, but she needs the commitment and help of every club member this year with this main fundraiser, so the essential work does not fall on just a few.  With the help of all, she is confident that the success and the income from the Duck Derby will continue to increase each year, as the word spreads about this unique Sunup Rotary event, and more sponsors are brought onboard.  Christy was also excited to announce that Joe Brown has vounteered to host the 2025 Duck Derby at Touchmark at the Ranch.   

 

After sharing her vision, Christy called on her officers and directors to share their vison and plans for each of their areas of club administration.  Included was a personal video message provided by Marsha Teller, our Community Service Chair, since she and Harlan are in Chicago, and could not be with us in-person.

 

Christy also presented a Community Service Award to Matt Greenlee for the exceptional community service which he and his company, Greenlee Surfaces, have provided.

 

 

Stephanie A. Urchick, 2024-25 Rotary International president, is asking district and club leaders to focus on peace this year and build on Rotary’s long history of peacebuilding. Connect with others who are committed to this cause at the 2025 Rotary Presidential Peace Conference, Healing in a Divided World. Urchick will lead this special one-time event in Istanbul, Türkiye, 20-22 February. Topics will include peace in a polarized world; making peace last; technology, media, and peacebuilding; and environmental issues in peacebuilding. The conference will also recognize the launch of our newest Rotary Peace Center, in partnership with Bahçeşehir University in Istanbul.

 

 

Lisa Doherty pins our newest member, Jennifer Faa, as Club Membership Chair Sarah Van Bourgondien happily watches.

 

We welcome Jennifer Faa to Sunup Rotary.  She is the Executive Director of Suzes Prescott Center for the Arts.  Jenn is sponsored by Lisa Doherty.

 

 

 

 

Rotary District Governor Michelle Holcomb presented this year's Rotary Theme Banner to Interact District Governor Anise Carroll Covarubbias, before she addressed, on Friday evening, the 27-members of this year's Interact District Council.  Each year the selected Council members participate in a mandatory intensive 3-day training and planning retreat, held at Camp Wamatochick, just south of Prescott on Senator Highway.

 

With her chosen 2024 Interact District Theme being "The Power of Service," DG Anise, on the camp's volleyball court, prepares to deliver a power serve during a game between competitive teams on Saturday.