Another Award-Winning Year
Barbara Barr
It’s another award-winning year for the Rotary Club of SaddleBrooke! At the annual District 5500 Conference, the SaddleBrooke Club received the Citation Award and was recognized for both growth and club retention. Several members of the club enjoyed the conference, along with the recognition.
The annual District 5500 Conference was held at Casino del Sol this year. The facility was an amazing venue for a conference. The food, under the direction of Executive Chef Ryan Clark, was exceptional. The facility worked so well for large meetings and small breakout rooms. However, the best part of the conference was gathering with Rotary friends from around Southern Arizona.
First, the Rotary Club of SaddleBrooke received the Citation Award for our year under President Liese Razzeto. This award from Rotary International is based upon all aspects of club management, planning, service projects, and other goals. The Rotary Club of SaddleBrooke is humbled to have won this award year after year. Current president Gordon Wainwright commented, “This award belongs to the entire club, because we have so many dedicated members who work so hard to make our club a great club and to make a difference in the world.”
Then the Rotary Club of SaddleBrooke was recognized for its membership growth and membership retention by the membership co-chair of Rotary International. At each conference, Rotary International sends a “President’s Representative.” This year our district was so fortunate to have Jeris B. Gaston, co-chair of the Rotary International Membership Committee. During her speech, Jeris recognized the Rotary Club of SaddleBrooke for its growth and membership retention. She gave all of our club’s statistics on growth and retention.
While it’s fun to hear the co-chair of the Rotary International Membership Committee report on the glowing statistics of the Rotary Club of SaddleBrooke, there is so much more to our club. Our club is not just about top growth and retention numbers. We are about people and the good friends we have made while meeting weekly and gathering over lunch to hear great programs on a wide range of topics. We are about the good vibrations that fill the room when we meet at socials. We are about the friendships we develop as we do good works for the people we serve in our community and surrounding communities. We are about having fun while fundraising so we can provide for the needs of all ages in local communities. We are about making a difference in the world, both locally and globally, while having fun with our fellow Rotarians.
Rotary has grown to be the world’s largest volunteer organization. Rotarians can be found in more countries than the Red Cross, Starbucks, or even McDonald’s.
The Rotary Club of SaddleBrooke is open to anyone who is living or working in all surrounding communities. We meet weekly at the Ranch House at SaddleBrooke Ranch and on Zoom for weekly programs. For more information, contact Wendy Guyton at 520-404-5712 or [email protected].