Welcome and Eating With Gusto!
President Caroline welcomed everyone and began the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and the Four Way Test; and with Zach at the ivories, we sang God Bless America. She then introduced her guests, Xavier Haig and National Rice; Karl introduced Fred Bashara, member of the Montpelier Rotary Club and Louisa Tripp of the Northfield Rotary Club, a past district governor and our current assistant governor.
Next on the program was lunch and members, and guests were soon enjoying the meal catered by Gustos while engaging in lively conversations.
A Gift for Karl
Louisa was recognized and rose to say: “A few weeks ago when I got home I found something in my pocket that made me smile. Everyone in the room who has worked on the Barre Art Splash has heard Karl talk about bolts and screws and which are used where. I thought that it would be fun to give him a special bolt that he had never seen before and so I googled unique screws and bolts. Some of what I came up with I thought of using today, but instead I went with this-what was in my pocket and some of the memories that made me smile. Trust me when I say I have memories of everyone in this room that make me smile. “ Karl responded excitedly: “I’ve been looking all over for this!"
The Changeover
President Caroline started the program by thanking the members for their support, friendship and unrelenting drive to be a positive and impactful force in our community and our world. She told us what an honor it had been to serve as president this year.
Accomplishments and Gifts
She continued with thanks to this year’s Board Members and Committee Chairs with team accomplishments:
Barre Rotary Foundation: Barre Rotary was able to put in place by-laws and is in the process of appointing its first full Board so that we can move forward compliantly with the 501(c)(3) non-profit arm of our Club;
Barre Rotary Legacy Fund: Up and Running with generous initial donation of $15,000 and two so far matching donations of $2,000. We hope to build a fund from which the interest can fund our projects and good works for another 100 years;
Barre Strategic Plan: We implemented the first of three years of our new Strategic Plan, a plan that was crafted by members every step of the way;
Committees and Club Roles: The Board adopted Role descriptions for every Club role and Committee;
Service Projects Committee and Public Image Committee : These [indicate that we had a strong building year and fulfilling our two most critical functions – doing good things and letting folks know so that they can donate or join us in doing good things;
President Caroline then presented gifts to Board members and committee chairs saying; “ So it is fair to say that we fortified the foundation of our Club this year. It would also be fair, therefore, to characterize my tenure as that of a pencil pusher. In honor of the pencil pushers among us, I want to share a small gift with each of my Board & Committee Chairs – thanks for your patience with the relentless technical work that we did together. I am confident that it will provide a terrific foundation for our incoming presidents.”
Rotarian of the Year
President Caroline began with listing the weaknesses of this member:
Relentless (sometimes unsupported) optimism
A willingness to over-commit on the spot
Sometimes speaking before thinking
He can get a little hot under the collar
And then went on to the strengths of this member:
Relentless (sometimes unsupported) optimism
A willingness to over-commit on the spot
Sometimes speaking before thinking
He can get a little hot under the collar
Then came the reconciliation: How can weaknesses also be strengths?
His passion leads him to always want to do more & better
His optimism leads him to believe that he & Barre Rotary can do it
His commitment to this community is profound & without question
His love of Rotary is telegraphed in what he thinks, says & does.
These strengths and weaknesses have led him to be the most consistent volunteer in our Club, have led him to create out of whole cloth an additional source of fundraising revenue for our Club, have supported his good humor despite being relentlessly fined and sometimes ridiculed for his optimism and can-do attitude.
This person in many ways has reflected the best that we are in our centennial year. Please join me in honoring Eddie Rousse as our Rotarian of the Year.
President Caroline then presented Eddie with golf paraphernalia: a golf ball; and tees, not shirts. Eddie accepted with grace and humor and with heartfelt thanks for the award.
Reflections on 24-25 Year
Next on the program, President Caroline presented her Reflections on 24-25 Year.
Barre Rotary received its Charter when Rotary International was merely 19 years old. It is fair to say that we grew up together. The accomplishments of our Club have reflected the principles by which Rotarians aspire in both our personal and professional lives. We follow four simple guidelines for our conduct (what we think, say and do):
Is it the truth?
Is it fair to all concerned?
Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
She then went on to describe the actions as Barre Rotarians how we have, in our centennial year, reflected these principles. She provided examples of our direct involvement or support at both local and international levels. She cited Drop ‘n Swap, Polio Plus, Ukraine’s efforts to feed and protect its children, Rotary After Dark events ,fostering goodwill through the BOR Concession Stand, our annual community breakfast, development and service opportunities for local youth; hosting the Barre Art Splash which
promotes local commerce and goodwill among visitors to Barre and cleaning our streets on Green Up Day. Presentation of Gifts to Tony (in absentia), Emily and Zach:
In presenting the gifts President Caroline said: “Any self-respecting pencil pusher and past President knows how important it is to have something ready to jot down meeting notes, ideas and perhaps the highs and lows of your Presidency.
My gift to you is a notepad with the Four Way Test on the cover, so that you can capture your adventures this year as Presidents and maybe capture some memories as well.”
Past President Pin Presented by Presidents Emily, Tony (in absentia) and Zach
Emily began by listing accomplishments of the Club under Caroline's leadership. “We want to thank Caroline for your leadership this past year. We appreciate all you've done from helping to develop a strategic plan, establishing the Service Projects and
Public Image Committees and developing role descriptions for each of the club officers. You organized a World Polio Day event in downtown Barre, and as the sole member of the Centennial Committee you oversaw the creation of the Legacy Fund, aided in the creation of the commemorative Barre Rotary Stone, introduced the bean for service jar and produced the 100th Anniversary Commemorative Booklet among other
things. You've made an impact on our club, you didn't just keep us moving forward you helped the club move forward with intention and we all thank you for that. Zach and Emily then presented Caroline with a past president pin and a plaque commemorating her presidential year.
Closing Remarks by Presidents Emily, Tony (in absentia) and Zach
Emily continued. As we look ahead, I'm honored to be one of three co-presidents stepping into this role. And I honestly think this year's Rotary theme: Unite for Good, is very fitting. As the three of us unite to share the role, support each other and lead in a way that will work for us and the club.
Between running a business, coaching youth sports and trying to figure out what's for dinner, I haven't had time to map out lofty goals for the upcoming year. But I believe in the good Rotary does and what everyone here does. I believe that when we show up even in small ways we move the needle forward.
Here's to this next year, uniting for good, sharing the load and continuing to serve our community with heart and purpose.
Zach ended the program with: “May Barre Rotary continue to be a force for good and live up to the challenge of the Four Way Test! Here is tp a great 2025-2026 Rotary Year!
The Finale
Let them eat cake!
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