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Message from the President 2009-2010

It is an honor to become the 74th President of the Union City Rotary Club. From an "Ole Ball Coach" to President of Rotary is quite a humbling experience for me. There have been so many great men who have served our community in this capacity since 1936.

2009-2010 will be a tough act to follow. Being selected as District 6760 Rotary Club of the Year has certainly raised the bar. We were selected from 65 clubs in West Tennessee and Nashville. Together we can make this a fun and productive year.

This year's Rotary International Theme is "The Future of Rotary is in Your Hands". As Rotarians, we are all responsible for Rotary. Our Rotary Club will be shaped at the local level. Our new rotary International President, John Kenny, said in his keynote speech that "Everything begins and ends with the local clubs." Currently, RI serves 33,000 communities in more than 200 countries. RI's programs and service opportunities help Rotarians meet needs in their own communities and reach out to assist people in need worldwide. RI plays a significant role in improving health, alleviating hunger and improving literacy. Led by Rotary International, polio is close to being eliminated in the world.

On the local level, Union City's Rotary has had a long history of helping provide young people of our county with resources to pursue their goals and help make Obion County a better place to live.

Among the programs or projects that we sponsor are the "Books From Birth Program". We mail out 1,300 books per month and have nearly reached 100,000 books since we started the program in Obion County. We continue to be a leader in our Rotary Scholarship Program. Last year, during a tough economic year, we gave out over $300,000 to students in Obion County. We have given out over 3 million dollars since we began the program in 1982.

Established by the Robert and Jenny Kirkland, the Promethean Foundation has paid for more than 300 at-risk kids educational child care which stresses academic excellence and character building. We have also been an annual supporter of the Union City Boys and Girls Club which has helped kids acquire the skills and qualities to become responsible citizens and leaders. Several hundred kids are served by this productive program each day.

Regionally, we have sponsored the Rotary Relays since 1978. It is the longest running track meet in West Tennessee. We have provided the manpower and resources to put on a very efficient track meet. It has a great avenue for high school athletes from West Tennessee and West Kentucky to have a first class place to compete. Lot's of memories are created here.

As President, I ask each of you to do your part. As Rotarians we are all responsible for Rotary. Let's continue to excel in the programs that we have had success with and be open to new things that benefit our community. Our community has long recognized that our club is here to serve. Within our club, we have varying recourses and talents. Pooled together, we have tremendous potential. As the President of RI said "Everything begins and ends with the local club".

Some of my goals for the club this year are to again qualify for the Presidential Citation Award. To win an award we must meet membership goals, advance the public image of Rotary, and meet certain service activities. I will remind you of these from time to time. Additionally, as we grow we need to become efficient in what we do. We need to seek out quality members from our community , help with ideas for programs, regularly attend meetings, and participate in Rotary events, Lastly, I want us to continue provide a fun, friendly atmosphere for our weekly meetings.

Will we win the District 670 Club of the Year? Who knows? I used to tell the squad to just focus on what you are doing and do your part. Every Player-Every Play!! That's how you win championships. If we focus on what we are doing, regardless of the awards, we will have a great productive year.

I look forward to this year and thanks for allowing me to serve as your president 2009-2010.

Randy Barnes
President


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