I’m just wrapping up a great week of being President of the Canton Rotary.  Last Friday I had the honor of being part of the changing of the guard and handed the gavel over to my good friend Rick Taylor.  I’m excited to see what he and the board have planned for the 22-23 year. There is no doubt that great things lie ahead.  I was so happy to have Past President, and now District 6650 Governor, Michelle Charles, share in the ceremonies.  I was happy to share in hers this past Saturday at the District Conference.  I was most humbled by the many kind words many of you expressed during our luncheon and was deeply moved by your show of love and gratitude.

I wanted to take a moment to share a few of my parting thoughts with those of you who couldn't attend and to reiterate those words for those of you that were.

It’s been a wild three-year ride going all the way back to President Rojek and President Pelger.  There are many challenges that remain, and I hope to be there to assist President Taylor as so many did for me.  The 21-22 year provided workload increases with Lori leaving last July, plus a heavy overhead burden coupled with declining membership and engagement, and we had no place to call home for our luncheon meetings.  That’s quite a lot to wrap your head around.

When it came to managing the workload, many of you pitched in where you couldto help manage the stress and pressure of a Canton Rotary Club with a new look.  I want the Executive Committee, Board, and many club members to know that your assistance and positive outlook kept me energized when I was dragging.  We got our finances back in order by trimming our sails and reducing overhead costs and continuing to be good stewards of the funds entrusted to us.  It paid dividends by putting us in an excellent financial position at years end and ready to grow our membership.

We accomplished great things this past year both internationally and at home.  The blanket project, backpack project, and $40,000 in charitable donations to continue our work locally.  Internationally we hit a grand slam by funding projects in Kenya, India, and Ukraine.  We took the lead to the tune of nearly $100,000 for those international projects.  Those memories will be with me forever.  Thank you.

As I wind-up my week I’ll reiterate that I hope I’ve inspired each of you to think deeper, reach further, and challenge ourselves to achieve more than we think we can.  I very much believe that great expectations at the beginning result in great achievements at the end.  Dare to dream big.

I thank all of you for this incredible opportunity to lead the Canton Rotary Club, and I look forward to our many great achievements in the future.

Have a Safe and Happy July 4th Holiday.

Mark Clendenin, 21-22 President - The Rotary Club of Canton