Pender R. McElroy
94th President – Rotary Club of Charlotte
By: Sheila Cottringer
    
                          
We have officially begun our new year for Charlotte Rotary Club with the passing of the gavel from John Snyder to Pender McElroy.
 
Outgoing President, John Snyder provided an outline of the achievements during the 2009-2010 service year. A key highlight was the $72,000 Philanthropic budget that enabled a multitude of worthy projects to be completed locally and internationally. President John was happy to report a $10,000 budget surplus that will provide a good start for President Pender’s upcoming year. Another item of importance was a $10,000 donation from our club to the Polio Eradication initiative. The District goal was for $1,000 for a 3 year consecutive period. Our club surpassed that goal by $9,000 in the first year.
 
John went on to say that during his tenure, attendance is up and has averaged an additional fourteen people per week (two tables). We are now averaging over 200 attendees per week. John reminded everyone the importance of recruiting new members and encouraged everyone to find the best people and recruit them to our club. He thanked all the members for their support and with that, he passed the gavel and John and Pender provided a Past President and New President pin for one another.
 
New President, Pender McElroy is a 25-year Rotarian with high ethical standards and his first comments to the club were that he had some big shoes to fill. He told Rotarians that it is an honor to preside over the oldest and largest club in our county. He went on to thank Sandy for her work and dedication and stressed that without her, the President’s job would be much more difficult.
 
Pender expressed his thanks to all the thirty-four new committee chairs and the committee members. He thanked all members in advance for their support and said he looked forward to serving this great club.
 
Our new president reminded us that service, world peace, diversity and fellowship is important to all Rotarians. His goals for the coming year include:
 
To uphold John Snyder’s standards
Continue to grow The Rotary Foundation and will do our best to match last year’s performance
Continue great programs for our meetings, headed up by Marilynn Bowler
Membership retention will be a focus for the coming year.
 
President Pender McElroy explained that the theme for the coming year is “Building Communities, Bridging Continents.” The meeting was over and everyone is looking for a great new Rotary year.
    
 
Head Table: Joel Ford, Martin Waters, John Snyder, Pender McElroy, Luther Moore, David Anderson, Marilynn Bowler;  Invocation: Mary Lynne Calhoun; Visitors & Guests: Sandy Chambers; Health & Happiness: Mike Rash;
Song & Piano: Thomas Moore;  Photos: Bert Voswinkel

•  Alice Harrison introduced Carson Dean as the first new member for 2010-2011. Carson is executive director for the Men’s Shelter of Charlotte and can be reached at carson.dean@mensshelterofcharlotte.org. Welcome to Charlotte Rotary!
      
• Two more resignations for 2009-2010 are to be noted - Charlie Raubacher and Debbie Daniel, bringing total membership as of June 30, 2010 at 316. The club brought in 30 new members and there were 37 resignations.
   
• President John recognized the Program committee for a fantastic year. Committee chair Ed McMahan and fourth quarter chair Tod Thorne were on hand to receive their Service Above Self memento; Beverly Grant-Turner is a grandmother….TWINS!!
 
• 2010-2011 Rosters are available. Thanks to Bill Loftin and Loftin & Company, Inc. for another good job. Copies will be available at the check in desk over the next several weeks. Please review and let me know of changes. As usual, there is already a growing list (see below).
Marilynn Bowler: remove Charlotte Checkers info, add Southern Shows. Email mbowler@southernshows.com
Beverly Grant-Turner: remove International House info. Email beverlygrant@carolina.rr.com
Joel Ford: remove Joe Dirt of Charlotte info. Email: joeldford@gmail.com
Delete: Ed Turner, Charlie Raubacher, Sammy Black
Page 11 – Paul Harris Fellows (bottom of the page) is actually Paul Harris Society