Meeting in Review - June 28, 2023

By W Todd MillerSaturday, July 1, 2023

On June 28, 2023, the Rotary Club of Washington, DC, held a Presidential Assembly as its regular weekly meeting in person at the Whittemore House and via Zoom. The Assembly was the final Club meeting of this Rotary year.
President Marilyn Nevy Cruz called the meeting to order at 12:30 PM and led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Deputy Secretary Sofia DeMartino introduced the guests and visiting Rotarians.

Sergeant-at-Arms Lola Perez recognized birthdays and anniversaries for the week.

President Nominee Bob Schott made his final entreaty for support of the Club’s Foundation, noting how much of the Club’s activities the Foundation supports.

Past President Nancy Riker presented a blue badge to Sergeant-at-Arms Lola and Deputy Secretary Sofia.

Arrel Olano provided a brief update on the Rotary Youth Exchange Program and introduced Tabitha Vasquez, our RYE participant.

President Marilyn inducted Jennifer Spanos into membership of the Club.

Past President Lynn Holec and President Marilyn presented a check to Robin Nixon, Chief of Partnerships for the National Mall, National Park Service, for the planting of trees under the Club’s Trees for the Capital program. Ms. Nixon announced that the National Park Service was able to secure a matching grant from the Department of Interior that allowed the Service to plant 300 trees. President Marilyn acknowledged all the efforts of Bryan Ingram in organizing and managing the Trees for the Capital program.

President Marilyn recapped the DC Rotaractor Induction ceremony, noting that she was accompanied at the ceremony by Past President Lynn, Deputy Treasurer Khaled Sabah, Alexander Tu, Michael Skerritt, and District Governor Nominee Nomie Hamid.

President Marilyn awarded Member of the Month for the month of April to Michelle Ems. President Marilyn thanked Michelle for her tremendous efforts, often beyond the scenes, in managing the Club’s Dictionary Project and in other activities.

President Marilyn commenced the Club Assembly by thanking her officers, Treasurer Pamela Stern-Green, Sergeant-at-Arms Lola, Secretary Todd Miller, and Ombudsman David Klaus, her deputy officers, Deputy Secretaries Sofia and Debbie Peters, Deputy Sergeant-at-Arms Max Salas, and Deputy Treasurer Khaled. President Marilyn also thanked the Committee Chairs for all their hard work during the past year.

President Marilyn spoke about how the Imagine Rotary theme coincided with her Rotary year. As a whole, she never imagined that when she was inducted as president of the DC Rotaract Club by Past President Jennifer Hara, she would one day be president of the DC Club. But the year itself began with disruption in her own life with the unfortunate and untimely passing of her brother and her beginning a new job. Notwithstanding the difficult beginning, she embraced her themes of Excited, Engaged, and Elevated, focused on growing memberships, and ensured she was available and responsive to everyone. During her year as President, the Club netted a gain of 22 members, and she acknowledged the Membership Committee of Past Presidents Bill Dent, Jennifer Hara, Nancy Riker, and Lynn Holec, and Alexander Tu. She also noted that the Club ended with a surplus of $35,000, the Club celebrated its Foundation’s Centennial with a gathering at Past President Tim Hanson’s home, it enhanced its public image by keeping social media up-to-date through the efforts led by Past President Lisa McCurdy, the Board adopted a Vision and Mission Statement, Sterling Hoffman led a substantial fundraising effort for the Rotary Foundation, and the Club held two assemblies honoring the charities that received grants and our Twin Cities clubs, respectively. But perhaps most importantly, she endeavored to focus the year on youth and noted, among other things, the incredible success of the Career Fair, led by Donnie Shaw and Ervin Owens.

President Marilyn offered her deepest gratitude to:

Past Presidents Jennifer Hara, Gerry Murphy, Andy Cook, Tim Hanson, Howard Davis, and Bill Dent
Outgoing Board members Tim Hurd, Mary Goldsmith, and Darren Crew
Her “Kitchen Cabinet” comprised of Past Presidents Lynn Holec, Lisa McCurdy, Pat Kanvanaugh, and David Klaus, and
Perhaps most importantly her husband David Caballero.

President Marilyn presented the following awards:

Spirit of Service - Salvador Farfan, Dr. Sam Hancock, Steve Liston, Past President Nancy Riker, Treasurer Pamela Stern-Green, and Shelton Williams
Rising Star - Elise Egan
New Rotarian of the Year- Ervin Owens
Paul Harris Fellows – Sergeant-at-Arms Lola Perez and Alexander Tu (with President Marilyn noting that this will add to Alexander’s Fellow status)
Lifetime Achievement Award - Balraj Gupta
Service Above Self – Secretary Todd Miller, and
Rotarian of the Year - Sterling Hoffman

Past President Lisa McCurdy led a toast to celebrate the end of the Rotary year.

Sterling Hoffman presented Paul Harris Fellow pins to Octavian Ionici (plus 3) and Linda Solomon (plus 3).

Sterling Hoffman also conducted the Raffle which was won by Steve Liston, but the Ace of Spades was not drawn.

President Marilyn presented new badges reflecting their positions for the upcoming Rotary year to President Elect Lisa Cohen and President Nominee Bob Schott. She also acknowledged the attendance of a number of students and staff from Richard Wright (who presented their own acknowledgment of thanks to President Marilyn) and the Interact Liaisons.

The meeting was adjourned at 1:37 PM.   Salvador Farfán was the producer on Zoom, and Dylan White the producer in the room. Dr. Sam Hancock and Austin Southern were the greeters, and Balraj Gupta provided hospitality.

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