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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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