Newsletter - Archive  Jun 21, 2010

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Rotarian of the Year: Ed Hughes

Tim Haas, left, past Rotarian of the Year, presents Ed
Hughes with Rotarian of the Year Award for 2009-10.

Club Secretary-elect Ed Hughes was awarded the Jefferson City West Rotary Club’s top honor as Rotarian of the Year for the 2009-10 year in which he handled the club’s public relations duties, played a “pivotal role” in the success of the club’s two Trivia Night fundraisers, and established and administered the club’s first real venture into the cyber world.

    Tim Haas, last year’s award winner, presented the award to Hughes on June 18, marking the second time in his nine-year Rotary career that Hughes was honored as a Rotarian of the Year. A retired public relations exec with AT&T/Southwestern Bell, he won the same honor in 2007 with the Loveland (Colo.) Rotary Club.

    Hughes and his wife, Linda, moved to Jefferson City in 2007 to be closer to family – at least, their Missouri family.

    “Since moving to Jefferson City, our Rotarian of the Year has continued to display his desire for ‘Service Above Self’ (the Rotary motto),” said Haas. “Not only is he active with our club, doing press releases, administering our website and writing our club’s first newsletter, but he has become a valued member in others areas of the local community. He teaches two adult Sunday School classes at First United Methodist Church, is a part of the church video ministry team, and serves as secretary of his church’s Board of Trustees. He is also involved in fund-raising and doing the newsletter for the Jefferson City Public Schools Foundation.”

    Haas also mentioned that Hughes has been a favorite luncheon speaker in Jeff City, dealing with his days as a news reporter with the Dallas Morning News when President Kennedy was assassinated. Also, he recently presented four two-hour classes as part of the Learning in Retirement lecture series at Lincoln University, on the subject of World War II: The European Front, focusing on the high-level one-upmanship of egoist generals, but including the in-the-trench experiences of war heroes of the 36^th Infantry Division, of which he was a member after the war.

    With Rotary, Hughes has been a generous donor to the Rotary International Foundation, having earned the Paul Harris Fellow award on many occasions. In a rare experience, he even received one of his awards from the Rotary International President that year, from New Zealand, who was touring the U.S.

    The Rotarian of the Year Award is voted on by members of the club, though the final decision usually rests with a committee made up of past winners. It is kept a secret until announcement day. Hughes was not aware he was going to be the winner until he spotted his wife, Linda, and son, Lee, standing in line with other members of his family waiting to partake in the buffet luncheon. (Pictured at right, Ed Hughes’ family from left: son Lee Hughes and his wife Alison; grandson son Taylor; Ed and his wife, Linda.)

    Lee Hughes, a wildlife biologist with the Missouri Department of Conservation, gave a stirring talk about his father and his desire to help others – from serving as a Scout master, to leading Scouts on treks to Philmont, to serving as president of many organizations, to reliving the good old days “when ice cream was only a nickel.”

    “This man, my father, is kind, generous and giving, truly interested in helping others achieve their goals. He is, and always has been, a great example for me, my brother, our sons, and those around him as well.”

Houser’s Heroes: President honors top volunteers

President Steve Houser recognizes Linda Nichols, due to be president in 2010-11.

Club President Steve Houser fired off his best shots while honoring his corps leadership and top volunteers during his reign as president of the Jefferson City West Rotary Club for 2009-10 during a June 11 meeting.

Among those he praised (and poked fun at) were:

   Tim Haas, last year’s Rotarian of the Year, who worked with Alan Mudd, in making sure Students of the Month could make it to Rotary meetings during their monthly reign. Haas also headed up the Trivia Night fund-raiser for the second year, and helped raise over $1,000 to Camp Barnabas for crippled children “because if you touch his heart-strings, he’ll become one of your biggest supporters.”

    Greg Gaffke served as Polio Plus Chair this past year, volunteering as he does for so many organizations in the community, and helping the club more than double the goal established by the district. “Greg is always one who says ‘I can do that!’” Houser said.

    Peter Goldschmidt, onetime auto dealer and noted philanthropist, was one of the club’s new members during the year and wore his military Army Reserves uniform on the day he was asked to do a “mini-bio” about himself. “When I saw Peter in his military uniform, I thought, WOW, this is going to be great. And it was memorable,” Houser said. For that, he was awarded the Best Dressed Mini-Bio Award!

    Mark Naeger, who co-chaired the Trivia Night fund-raiser with Tim Haas this year, “spent endless hours making sure that all the loose ends were taken care of, and then worked the night of the event while everyone else relaxed and enjoyed the event.” Naeger will serve as co-treasurer the coming year. As a gag gift, the Jefferson Bank vice president received a Hawthorn Bank money bag from Houser (an officer with Hawthorn Bank, naturally).

   Jane Rackers and John Ahsens, served as the club’s GSE Team co-chairs, coordinating with other Jefferson City Rotary clubs to host the South Korean GSE Team in May.

    Gary Sharpe was a member of the Invocation Committee, and often was called up at the last minute to offer the weekly prayer. “Unlike Rev. Don Carter, most people are naturally a little nervous to deliver a prayer for our club, but Gary was always available when Don or other members of the committee weren’t here,” Houser said.

    Rita Esterly, who will be District Governor-Elect for the coming year, served this past year as chair of the club’s New Member Orientation Committee. “Rita knows that the key to keeping a member is to get them involved right away so they could find out all the great things this club has to offer. And I am among those who have benefited from her enthusiasm and dedication.”

    Carla McDaniel, former president and Rotarian of the Year, served as Rotary Foundation Committee chair as well as Literacy Committee chair. “If that’s not enough, she is also the District Literacy chair, where she has to attend countless meetings and make presentations around Missouri.”

    Warren Solomon, who for years has served as the club’s Scholarship Committee chair, “has the educational background and understands what’s important during the interviews with the students. He has so much passion when it comes to recognizing our outstanding students,” Houser said.

    Winston Rutledge, also a former educator, served as the club’s Youth Exchange counselor – working with incoming foreign exchange students from the time they step off the airplane. “He’s the one that they will talk to when they have problems or need assistance, and he’s always there to make their visit comfortable,” said Houser. He also thanked Wendy Gustofson, for stepping up and serving as a family host to the club’s exchange student from Brazil during the time he was in Jefferson City.

Houser also recognized his Board members during this past year:

    George Welling, Program Committee chair, “wanted to know what he was getting into, but it didn’t take him long. He had people booked as speakers before he left the room that same day,” said Houser. “This guy has the connections and got involved at the get-go,” said Houser. Welling will serve as the club’s president-elect for 2010-11.

    Alicia Embley Turner, an attorney and former Rotary Exchange Student, served her second year as the club’s Youth Committee chair, handling both incoming and outgoing Exchange students and coordinating the program with other clubs as well.  As a board member, Houser noted she became “our official board attorney, whether she liked it or not! She’s a professional and I couldn’t have done it without her.”

    John Wood, who served as Secretary for the club, “did a great job of learning the ropes with our new DaCbd district-and-club data base.” He also kept the members informed each week of upcoming programs. He had been tabbed as president-elect for 2010-11, but has already moved with his wife to St. Joseph. “John will be missed.”

    Mike Gray, club treasurer, took on to learn Quick Books, “a software that even most of our accountants don’t know how to use,” and spent many weekends and vacation days to help straighten out the club’s financial books.

    Warren Prost, immediate past president, took over as chair of the club’s International Committee when it was vacated during the year. “Presidents always know that their following year is an important as the year they served as President. Warren and I met behind closed doors a number of times when I shared concerns and asked for advice. We are all volunteers, and Warren showed that he wants all of us to succeed.”

    Jason Call served as Social Committee chair and sponsored the club’s first picnic in many years and other fun social events. “We had to double the budget for Jason, but that still wasn’t enough and he put in his own resources to help make this year a fun year.”

    Ed Hughes, Public Relations chair and Website administrator, “was a gift from the Rotary gods,” Houser noted, when Hughes arrived from Colorado. “He created the best website our local clubs have ever seen, and our nine-member growth this year was a direct result of his efforts.” Hughes also created a pictorial directory for the club and provides audio-visual support for club speakers, arriving early to set up each week. “Ed’s work for the club goes on and on,” Houser said, noting that he will serve as Club Secretary for the coming year.

    Bernie Fechtel headed up the club’s Community Service Committee, providing volunteer support for the Samaritan Center, bell-ringing for the Salvation Army, coordinating the Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting program, and coordinating the club’s work day project at Rotary Centennial Park. “I always enjoy his comments at board meetings and the knowledge he brings to the table,” Houser said.

    Brian Johnson was Membership Committee chair during a year of the club’s greatest growth. “He not only pushed hard for new members but he pushed hard to be addressed as the Membership Czar,” Houser noted. “Because of this, he also deserves another award: the Humility Award.”

    Linda Nichols, president-elect, who will take over for Houser as president on July 1, “has been a member of this club for a long time and was so helpful this past year,” he said. Nichols also took to heart the club’s new international project in Ecuador after Springfield Rotarian Paul Reinert presented a program on the Yachana Project. “Talk about energy! She rightfully earned her nickname as The Great White Hunter,” Houser noted. “She will take this club to a new level,” he promised.

    Frank Newell, a member of the board, “is my what-if man,” said Houser. “In my planning, I get to excited about what’s coming up that I intend to forget about ‘what if’ – like ‘what if it rains?’ or ‘what if we don’t have the right facility?’ He gets my Devil’s Advocate Award!”

New officers sworn in – early

District Gov.-Elect Raymond Ploe, right, of Columbia swears
in President-Elect Linda Nichols as the new president of the
Jefferson City West Rotary Club in ceremonies on June 11.
He also swore in all incoming officers. It came three weeks
early because of his busy schedule. Nichols and her team of
new officers will officially take office on July 1. They will be
sworn in again – this time officially – by Dist. Gov.-Elect Rita
Esterly on July 2.

A year of accomplishments

President Steven Houser listed many Jefferson City West Rotary Club accomplishments during the past year. Among them:

• Nine new members
• Another successful Trivia Night fund-raiser to benefit the Samaritan Center
• The club’s first family picnic at Apple Creek
• Contributed $1,000 to the Yachana Technical High School Project in Ecuador, along with Linda Nichols traveling to Ecuador to experience and contribute to the project’s success
• Provided “sweat equity’ at Rotary Centennial Park by re-landscaping the entrance area
• Participated with the District Gov. Steve Montgomery and Jefferson City Mayor John Landwehr in the Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting at Rotary Centennial Park
• Volunteer efforts at Salvation Army (ringing bells) and the Samaritan Center (food pantry and stocking)
• Supported the GSE Team from South Korea
• Established the club’s first stand-alone website and the club’s first newsletter
• Hosted 18 Students of the Month from Helias and JCHS, and provided $4,500 in college scholarships
• More than doubled the goal of $25 per member to Polio Plus
• Received the Presidential Citation as a club.

Coming up Programs

July 2 – Induction of 2010-2011 officers and directors; passing of the gavel.

July 9 -- Maj. B. Scott Miller, Missouri National Guard.

July 16 -- Ashley Schwarzer, outbound Exchange Student to Ecuador

July 23 – Official visit of District 6080 Governor Raymond Ploe.

July 30 – Rotary International President Ray Klinginsmith; presentation of Paul Harris Fellow awards.