Rotary Club of South Cambridge

IPP Michael Lang identified his personal highlights from the very full and successful year. He then handed the President's chain to David Ellis who congratulated Michael on wise council and leadership.

Members gave a warm welcome to new members Alan Franklin and Sian Franklin following their induction as members of the club ahead of the Handover. 

President David Ellis's presentation:

I am honoured to take up the position.
-    So many past Presidents who have given so much service.
Mike Lang:  Intentionally set out to have a settling down presidential year following some changes within the club the year before.
He has done this and much more.  His quiet, but firm leadership has given us a solid base throughout the year.  His commitment in often difficult circumstances has been first class.
The club is very active and Mike has been there leading and supporting this activity.  He often councils patience, which invariably proves to be the best course of action. 
Our year has once again been busy.
Turning to my year – no, our year.
I am so proud to be President of a club with such history, but also I WANT US TO CREATE THE HISTORY OF THE FUTURE.
I want us to respect past traditions, but break new ground.
I want us to continue what we do well, but seek new challenges. 
I want us to have fun and look forward to Rotary meetings and events.  I may be the President, but it is the members that make a difference.  I want to be inspired by what we do as individuals and achieve as a club, AND this will in turn inspire others.
I am excited by the prospect of getting properly involved with the Tanzanian School, and closer to home, Comberton School, helping develop their leadership programme.  How great it would be if we could get both schools helping each other.
However, I am nervous as an inexperienced Rotarian and in a full-time job, plus other interests.
I hope I can do a good job.
Some practical observations we must consider:
1    We do not have anyone to take over from Mike as president in 2013-14

2    We must look at succession planning for:
Secretary

Webmaster

Treasurer

Request - Can I please ask committee Chairman to provide me and Paul with a schedule of committee meeting dates ASAP?  The first of these should not be too far in advance.
For me, SERVICE ABOVE SELF covers most of why I like being a Rotarian.  Let’s look this year to see if we can push overselves that little bit further, even than the excellent effort of last year, to HELP OUR LOCAL, NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITIES, and have a damn good time doing it!!

President David Ellis