On the evening of Friday, June 24, 2011, the Rotary Club of Arcadia held its 85th Annual Installation of Officers and Directors in the Mediterranean Room of Brookside Golf Club in Pasadena, California.

As members and spouses walked in,Club Photographer Frank Perini took their photos. Also taking photos was Club Administrator Sandra Caldero.  Hors d’ouevres were served, and outside in the light of the setting sun, drinks (hard and soft) were available for a price.

Once members and guests had found their respective tables, Rabbi Alan Lachtman of Temple Beth David gave the invocation. The meeting was then called to order by Frank Griffith. Boy Scout troop 105 presented the colors and led the pledge of allegiance. Deni Gearhart then led us in singing America the Beautiful followed by the Rotary Song composed in 1923 by Norris C. Morgan.

Announcements

Several announcements followed, with Tom Miles reminding us of the Relay for Life the next day at Santa Anita Race Track to benefit the American Cancer Society, and Frank Griffith notifying us of the Arcadia Rotary Partners Installation Luncheon, honoring 2011 – 2012 President Julie Miller, to take place on Tuesday, June 28, 2011 at 11:30 am at the Opera, 402 S. Myrtle, in Monrovia.

Awards

Next was the presentation of awards. The Ernest E. Jensen “Service to Youth” Award was presented by Pat Wickhem (last year’s recipient) posthumously to the late Jim Ellsworth, via Jim’s wife Carol. The award is given to the person (member or nonmember) who made the most significant contribution to youth. The late Jim Ellsworth was involved in the coaching of football and track at Arcadia High School, and win or lose would always cause spirits to soar with his concluding exclamation, “How about those Apaches!”

The John R. Fee “New Member Award” was presented by Eric Barter to Rosie Mares. The award is presented to the new member showing the most promise of promoting the ideals of Rotary. Previous recipients have included Phyllis Tomkins, Bob Daggett, John Murphy, Geoff Tookey, and Mimi Hennessy. Rosie Mares has advanced Rotarian ideals in such events as the November Dodger Stadium “Walk for a Cure” to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) and in such activities as hiking, dancing, classical music and world travel.

The Alton E. Scott “Community Service Award” was presented by Mike Real to Tony Parille. The award is given to the member making a significant contribution to the community of Arcadia. Tony was Arcadia Rotary’s 2009 vice president for community affairs. He has long been active in matters of concern to Arcadia planning, including evaluation of the proposed Caruso Project (Shops at Arcadia and the extension into Arcadia of the Cal. Trans Gold Line. Tony was involved in the Baldwin Stocker P.T.A., the Arcadia Education Foundation, Little League, and is an avid Arcadia High School sports booster,. Along with Mary Salcedo and Michael Ojeda he was active in the Salute to Seniors. Along with Eric Barter, Mike Ojeda, Frank Griffith, and Rose Mares, he was also active in Arcadia Rotary’s participation in the Walk for a Cure of Juvenile Diabetes which takes place annually in November at Dodger Stadium to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.(JDRF).

The H. T. Michler “Rotarian Award” was presented by Frank Griffith to John Murphy. (H. T. Michler was President of Arcadia Rotary from 1948 to 1949 and a past District Governor). John Murphy was (Arcadia Rotary President from 2004 to 2005 and a past Assistant District Governor and had served on several Rotary committees. During WWII, he served on the U.S. Aircraft Carrier Midway. He later became involved in real estate and was a corporate executive. .John Murphy also served on the Board of Directors of the Red Cross.

Next Frank Perini and Frank’s daughter Danielle presented past-President Matt Weaver with a thick album of photographs of events during his presidency. According to Matt, this album in itself made his presidency worthwhile. Frank Griffith also presented Matt Weaver with a plaque for Matt’s service as Arcadia Rotary’s President.

For his part, Matt Weaver presented a special plaque to Frank Hall for having made a difference in his service as Treasurer and in guiding Arcadia Rotary’s finances during these perilous times.

Recognition of 2010-2011 Officers and Directors

At this point, Matt Weaver presented his 2010-2011 Officers and Directors with plaques recognizing the service they had just concluded. In addition to Matt Weave (President, 2010-2011), the 2010-2011 Officers were as follows: Brad Miller (President Elect), Eric Barter (Vice President for Club Service), Imy Dulake (Past President), Jack Lamb (Secretary), Frank Hall (Treasurer). The 2010-2011 Directors were as follows: Mike Ojeda, (Environmental, replacing the repositioning Jack Pan), Geoff Tookey (Membership), Bill Gleason (Vocational Service), Dr. Michael Hoey (International Service, replacing the infirm Sho Tay), Mimi Hennessey (Community Service), and Ralph Orr (New Generations/Youth Service).

Installation of 2011-2012 Officers and Directors

Ernie Jensen then announced the 2011-2012 Officers and Directors. In addition to Brad Miller (President, 2011-2012), the 2011-2012 Officers wiil be as follows: Eric Barter (President Elect), Mimi Hennessey (Vice President for Club Service), Matt Weaver (Past President), Jack Lamb (Secretary), and Roger Grant (Treasurer). The 2011-2012 Directors will be as follows: Bill Gleason (Club Service), Jay Harvill (Public Image), Rosie Mares (Environmental), Mike Ojeda (Membership), Ralph Orr (vocational Service), Steve Pelletier (International Service), Mary Salcedo (Community Service), Geoff Tookey (New Generations/Youth Service), and Keith Brown (Sergeant of Arms). Among these are two new directorships (Club Service, and Public Image), and one anticipated new directorship (Sergeant at Arms), – thereby totaling nine directorships, rather than six as before.

Amid all of this change, Sandra Caldero continued in her post as Club Administrator.

Ernest Jensen likened the various officers and directorships to the parts of a sailing ship. In this analogy the following would correspond: (1) the “spinnaker” (or large sail) to Past President; (2) the “anchor” to the Treasurer; (3) “jib” to New Generations; (4) the “compass” to Vocational Service; (5) the “main sheet” to Membership, (6) the “boom” to community service, (7) the “radio-transponder” to public image, (8) the “keel” to International Service, and (9) the “trapeze” to Sergeant at Arms.

All officers and directors were then sworn to uphold Arcadia Rotary and its ideals , both national and international.

Presentation of Badges and Pins

Brad Miller then presented Matt Weaver with a badge as Past President.

However, Frank Griffith could not find a President’s pin for Brad Miller. He then cautioned Brad not to lose the presidential gavel as it could not only result in embarrassment, but might even cost money (i.e., a fine).

Brad Miller solved this problem by presenting pins to the incoming 2011-2012 officers and directors, the first of which designated himself as President.

Greetings from Past Presidents

As if to demonstrate that the ship of Rotary could be successfully navigated to port, a long line of Past Presidents was called up. Included were (1) Jack Lamb (1971-1972), (2) John Fee (1984-1985}, (3) Ernie Jensen (1990-1991), (4) Pat Barnes (1991-1992), (5) Gil Stromsoe (1992-1993), (6) Bob Margett (1994-1995), (7) Mike Real (1996-1997), (8) Ray Bushnell (1997-1998), (9) Ed Beranek (1998-1999), (10) Jim Rider (1999-2000) , (11) Jeff Swenson (2001-2002), (12) Bob Novell (2002-2003), (13) Bob Harbicht (2003-2004), (14) John Murphy (2004-2005), (15) Dick Martinez (2005-2006), (16) Frank Griffith (2006-2007), (17) Rich Hutton (2007-2008), (18) Bruce McCallum (2008-2009), (19) Imy Dulake (2009-2010), and (20) Matt Weaver (2010-2011).

(Please see the accompanying article by Pat Dolphin for Brad Miller’s presidential background and remarks.)