Meeting the Rotary Club of Greenville!

The Rotary Club of Greenville -- #1 in membership (309) and a major contributor to The Rotary Foundation. I was a bit nervous anticipating the visit with such a large and prestigious club, but President Bert Strange and the board made me feel right at home within minutes after arriving at the Westin Poinsett Hotel. I enjoyed a lively discussion and great meal with the Board of Directors on Monday night, September 12th. I was excited to hear about their impressive plan to recruit 60 new members in 2011-12 in order to have a net membership increase of at least 31 members! 

Kathy and I enjoyed the regular meeting and were impressed with President Bert's superb organization and ability to cover a large agenda in exactly one hour, even with a 25 minute District Governor presentation! The club recognized about 50 new Paul Harris Fellows and Multiple Paul Harris Fellow in a presentation that these Rotarians wrapped across the entire front and sides of the room. Club Foundation Chair Carol Simpson told an amazing story of the foundation's work in South Africa. I was pleased to recognize the club's Foundation Committee that led this great effort and clearly led by example! They hope to be designated as a 100% Paul Harris Fellow club, and I am confident this goal will be reached soon!

Tim Nanney was recognized as the club's Notable Rotarian. Tim joined the Rotary Club of Greenville on April 12, 2005, and was sponsored by Jill Kintigh.  A Rotary Foundation Sustaining Member, and has served as the Editor for The Greenville Rotarian, the Club’s semi-monthly bulletin, since July 2009.  During his tenure, The Greenville Rotarian has moved into the technology era by becoming an on-line edition (though printed copies are available for members without computer access).  Tim’s keen attention to detail and dedication to excellence have resulted in The Greenville Rotarian being consistently recognized as the best in District 7750.  When President Bert Strange was filling Club leadership positions for the 2011-2012 year, the first person he asked to serve was Tim Nanney.  Tim epitomizes “Service Above Self” as he works diligently behind the scenes to keep the membership informed of what’s happening in the Club and across the Rotary world.

 President Bert also told me about a great program to encourage members to move around and meet as many club members as possible during the year. The member who sits with the most members will have their dues paid by the club next year! Bert developed a form that asks members to write down the names of club members sitting on the right and left. President Elect Elizabeth Lyons is monitoring the cards turned in each week and will insure payment for the prize next year! This is a great idea for large clubs, and I hope the club will post this very innovative idea on our District Blog. 

Thank you so much for making Kathy and I feel so welcome and at ease in this very impressive club! We look forward to returning to celebrate the club's successes!