June 27 – President’s Day, KIM JOHNSON
LEXINGTON, KY – The Rotary Club of Lexington held its weekly meeting on Thursday, June 27, at The Mane on Main, Chase Bank building on Main St. The program featuredPresident Kim Johnson reviewing her year and recognizing members who have gone above and beyond service to the club.
This meeting will also be on Zoom. For the Zoom link please email, [email protected].
If you would like to have lunch, please contact [email protected] to reserve your meal.
REFLECTIONS ON A YEAR OF GROWTH AND ACHIEVEMENT
As my tenure as president of the Rotary Club of Lexington concludes, I have had moments of reflection on this past year. Initially, I felt a mix of anticipation and nostalgia, wondering if I could uphold the high standards set by the great leaders before me. Now, as my time as president ends, I hope that my efforts have made a meaningful impact on the club’s history.
Two main thoughts stand out as I look back over the past year. Firstly, I am amazed by how quickly time has passed. My year as president has flown by, yet there remains much to accomplish. Secondly, I find myself asking, “Did I make the most of it?” This question is linked to whether we have achieved our initial goals and whether I have maximized the experience.
My plan for the year focused on improving our “outward communication.” This meant enhancing our messaging and raising awareness in the Lexington community about the wonderful work our club does each year and the impact we have on Central Kentucky, the state, and the world. I am proud to say we have made great strides in this area.
We launched the “Doing Rotary, Differently” week, which brought focus and opportunity for service projects, membership recruiting at local events, and fellowship among members. Our new monthly business networking event, improved social media presence, updated website, and increased participation with local media are just a few of the initiatives driving our mission forward. As a result, over twenty-five new members have joined our club.
Growing and sustaining our membership has been a continuing challenge, but we have made significant strides in member retention and attracting new members. It will take a concerted effort from all members to grow back to our pre-Covid strength of over 300 members. I challenge each of you to continue these efforts by inviting like-minded individuals to join us.
In the words of Andrew Carnegie, “Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. The ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results.” As a group, we have and will continue to accomplish so much more together, creating lasting hope for many across the world.
Thank you for the opportunity and honor to serve as the leader of this prestigious organization. I look forward to continuing to serve with you.
Your continued support and fellowship have brought me immense joy during this chapter of my life!
President Kim
ROTARY IN REVIEW
PRESIDENT’S DAY SEES ANOTHER CHANGING OF THE GUARD
As a past-President the annual President’s Day program has always provided a moment of reflection for me. As Kim Johnson took the podium on HER day I had a vivid memory from twenty-three years ago of thinking that I only needed to survive one more hour to avoid being impeached. Kim, the fifth female president of our Club, has set the bar much higher for any future President. It was apparent from the outset that her last meeting would be one of recognizing the relationships that she has formed to move our Club forward. Endowing her grandson Tyson Stafford with a Paul Harris Fellowship was just another example of her ongoing commitment to Rotary.
As with all President’s days, there is a sense of unfinished business. But Kim’s mission to improve “outgoing communications” by “Doing Rotary, Differently” was an idea that was beautifully executed. Throughout the year, by focusing on opportunities and fellowship our Club added twenty-five new members who demonstrated “like minded values.” Kim’s closing words said much about the grace and dignity that she demonstrated throughout her term: “Thank you for the opportunity and letting me be a small part of your Rotary journey.”
When it came to giving thanks it was no surprise that many Rotarians were mentioned. As a large club it certainly takes a lot of people to make it seem “easy”. Special thanks was expressed to John Wharton (Wheel Horse), John Meyers (5th Page), Brad Patrick (Greeting), Chris Peck (Cashier), Harry Richart (Everything), Jack McAllister (Global Grants), Brigitte Blom, Wanda Bertram, Laura Mobley-Corn (Membership committee), Dan Koett (PR), newly married Bill Straus (Weekly Speaker Gift), and Michael Wallace (Photo & Drone). Kim recognized Dean Hammond as the “glue” of our weekly meetings and our technology liaison. Kim added extra thanks to Jenny Schnurr, Dylan Harper and Crystal Newton, without whom she could not have survived; each was presented with an engraved bottle of Woodford Reserve for the Spirit of Rotary Award. She next recognized past-President Bill Wilson with the Workhorse for Rotary Award for his continued service.
This special day concluded with the presentation of a number of traditional awards:
Yearling Award: Bruce Daley
Action Rotarian: Susan Adams
Rotary Board Medal of Honor: Gary McCormick
President’s Cup: Paul Chewning
Once the Awards were completed Peggy Trafton (Kim’s Secret Sauce) and Bret Anderson took the stage to provide a sendoff to President Kim Johnson. In a stirring slide show they presented her with Lottery tickets and a compilation of all the Wheel Horse programs in 2023-24. Finally, in a nod to her five years of chairing Dancing With the Lexington STARS, she was awarded a variety of “Star” awards in recognition of her achievements and obstacles overcome: Shining Star Award; Starbucks Award; Starburst Award; and Star Wars Award.
President Kim, on behalf of our Club we thank you for your service, your leadership, and your inspiration throughout the past year.
- Jim Richardson
