A Message from the Club President

print this page

Message from Eloy Nunez

President, Rotary Club of Inverness, 2012 - 2013

 Greetings! 

Two years ago, our Rotary Club was voted as the Best Large Club in District 6950. That designation was a testament to the leadership of Past President Charlie Richer, and also of all the Rotarians behind the scenes who make this Club successful. 

During his term, immediate PP Rob Tessmer faced the challenge of making the best Club even better. Under Rob's leadership, we met challenges, including losing our meeting place ... twice. With hard work and a sense of humor, Rob made the multiple changes of venue fun, turning an adverse situation into a positive one. Our Club is stronger than ever, and under Rob's leadership, we are a better organization than we were when we won the Best Large Club award. 

I intend to follow in Rob's footsteps and continue to make the best Club even better. If I can emulate that accomplishment, I will consider my tenure as President to be successful as well.

My goals for this year amplify the goals of our previous presidents, making things that are already in-place more explicit, more visible, and more inclusive. 

2012 - 2013 Goals

• Increase awareness of what Rotary does (with members and non-members alike).
• Ensure the long-term sustainability of the organization.
• Ensure a place for everyone

Goal 1:  Increase awareness of what Rotary does

Our Rotary Club does so much good for our community, yet many [even some Rotarians] are not aware of what we do and how we do it.  To accomplish this goal we will:

• Continue our monthly WYKE-TV broadcast
• Present "A Rotary Moment" educational program monthly
• Conduct monthly "Spotlight on a Rotarian" programs, featuring individuals or committees

 Goal 2:  Ensure the club's long-term sustainability

Our club just celebrated its 40^th year. It is our responsibility to honor the work of those who have preceded us and leave the Club in a better position than we received it. To accomplish this goal we will:

• Enhance our recruitment and retention efforts
• Put in place a continual three-year strategic plan that involves the collective vision of the president, the PE and PEE to ensure strategic continuity.
• Establish a disaster recovery plan that includes a continuation of operations component

 Goal 3:  Ensure a place for everyone

• Ask all Club members where they think they belong and how they wish to serve
• Maintain an organization chart that includes all Club members in at least one capacity
• Maintain a description of the roles and responsibilities of all leadership positions

 My theme this year: "A Place for Everyone" 

 --------

Founded in 1971, the Rotary Club of Inverness was the first Rotary Club in Citrus County. We are proud to have sponsored, directly or indirectly, every Rotary Club, and every Rotary-associated club in the county.

We are proud to have contributed to a major landmark in the City of Inverness, the well-known Whispering Pines Park. Many years ago our club was instrumental in securing and assisting in development of the area for park use, and our Rotary wheel is on the pillars we built at the park's entrance.  Today the facility is used by residents and visitors from all over the county.

Our current emphasis is youth development. In fulfilling this mission we award scholarship funds to Citrus High School seniors as well as to Withlacoochee Technical Institute students annually.

We honor two outstanding students from Citrus High  School and two from Inverness Middle School each month while school is in session as Rotary Students of the Month. They are recognized during one of our weekly Tuesday meetings in the Lakeside Grill at Lakeside Country Club, with proud parents or guardians also in attendance.  Additionally, we sponsor two students who attend the annual Seminar for Tomorrow’s Leaders [S4TL], a week-long program held on the campus of Florida Southern College. We also host and sponsor students for the international Rotary Youth Exchange.

To raise money for these and other activities, we promote major annual fundraising that includes a TV Auction, a Golf Tournament, and other events. Members provide funds through weekly giving of happy/sad dollars and the celebration of anniversaries and birthdays. 

Our club is an affiliate and supporter of Rotary International, whose efforts to eradicate polio, with the aid of the World Health Organization and multiple governments, is now coming to closure. Through Rotary International our club participates in projects throughout the world, including water and food resource development and disaster relief.

Membership in Rotary is by invitation. If you are interested in the works we do, seek out a Rotarian and introduce yourself. We welcome those who are interested in living our motto of promoting Service Above Self.