Words from President McKinnie

2010 was a magic carpet ride for Space Center Rotary Club.  After being selected 2009 “Large Club of the Year” in the Greater Houston Area, we set out to improve on what we do best – “M&M’s” – Membership and Money for service projects; membership recruitment, local community service, international service, quality programs and public awareness.  And did we ever succeed. 

Our efforts resulted in 17% in net membership growth, 25 local community service projects (from local food banks to Shriner's Childrens Hospitals in Galveston & Houston), 12 international projects (from clinics in Guerrero, Mexico to shelter for children of the street in Egypt, to emergency relief in Haiti) and national publicity on the popular TV ABC program “Extreme Makeover-Home Edition two hour special on Easter Sunday night. 

And then the fruits of our labor.  The Rotary District Conference was held April 22-24 to celebrate the achievements throughout the Greater Houston area.  To start with, six outstanding Space Center Rotarians were presenters during the District Conference, each with very quality presentations.

Then on Saturday night, during the Awards Dinner, our own Stan Galanski received the very prestigious "Service Above Self" award, which is given to only 150 Rotarians worldwide by Rotary International.   President Jon McKinnie was called up to the stage and was presented the "Mega Club of the Year” award, for the second year in a row.  Emotions were running pretty high among all of our members present at the event.

What an honor to our Club and our members; an acknowledgment of the efforts and contributions that every member made that allowed the club to achieve this coveted award.

Believe me, there are a lot of excellent clubs in our District. Many were recognized during the Conference for a specific type of accomplishment. It is my opinion that what impressed our Governor the most, was when he was going down the list of accomplishments we not only had outstanding projects, but also led the district in Net Membership Growth and met our pledge for Foundation giving and Polio Plus contribution. 

I cannot be more convinced that this was EVERY member's accomplishment. Everyone without exception has made a contribution and for that you should be proud. This is your award and you help make it happen.

Read the entire  summary of accomplishments presented by President McKinnie.

The Year in Photos

Summary
Printable pdf

Narrative Navigator
with links


The Picture Says It All

President McKinnie and
Mega Club of Year Award

President McKinnie’s closing remarks to the Club members”… Space Center Rotarians, during the past year, my deepest wishes have been answered in their fullest and come to a fitting end today.  With my humblest appreciation, I have been truly, truly honored to have served you.  Carl Schurtz said, “Ideals are like stars: you will not succeed in touching them with your hands, but like the seafaring man on the ocean desert of waters, you choose them as your guides, and following them, you reach your destiny”.  Ladies & Gentlemen, I found my destiny at Space Center Rotary Club and lived it to its fullest.
Thank you so very much.”


President McKinnie  approved the history for Rotary year 2009-10 and it was placed in archives August 16, 2010