Rotary Club of San Juan Marcos A. Vidal, President, 2011-2012

Rotary Club of San Juan

Marcos A. Vidal, President,2011-2012

Greetings fellow Rotarians and distinguished guests,

During my inauguration speech on July 5, 2011, I addressed three

main focus points:

.

1ROTARY SERVICE

2CONTINUE

TO DO WHAT WE DO BEST

3CHANGE

WHATEVER NEEDED TO

BE CHANGED

It is evident that our Club was and still is facing situations that have affected:

Our Membership

Our 100% Service Our Finances

After acknowledging these facts, we, as a team,

presented our Year Plan to our DG.

-THE FACTS-1. We lost about 30% of our

membership during the last four years.

2. We are now the second largest club in Puerto Rico (7000 District).

3. Our budget was projected with a loss of $22 thousand dollars for

2011-2012.

1. Implemented the Corporate Membership Pilot Program, authorized by Rotary International

TODAY WE HAVE FIVE (5) NEW CORPORATE MEMBERSHIPS.2. Due to the outstanding work by the Membership Committee, Chaired by Troy Fields, we inducted approximately 20 new members, including Corporate memberships, during the year.

-ACCOMPLISHMENTS-

3. Met with the Past President Advisory Council to search and merge ideas.4. Received District Recognition for

new members, for Interact & Rotaract. Matching Grants Project from Rotary Foundation.

-ACCOMPLISHMENTS-

-ACCOMPLISHMENTS-

5. Amended our BY-LAWS to conform to Rotary International

6. Added the New

Generation Avenue of Service.

At the beginning, it seemed hard to reach the success we were focused on, obviously, because of Puerto Rico’s economic environment; however, after many efforts, I was able to present the idea of...

The San Juan

Rotary Week Fair

-ACCOMPLISHMENTS-

The San Juan Rotary Week Fair

Our convictions about the Fair

were so strong, that we went

ahead despite of the odds and

implemented our plan.

Our board supported the idea and gave the team the “go ahead” to:1. Contract with Plaza Las Americas at no cost for Rotary, 2. We projected a $22,000 income. 3. We organized a Cocktail for our sponsors. 4. John Richardson proved to be an excellent MC, (Master of Ceremony) during the opening.

The San Juan Rotary Week Fair

Comprising the dynamic group behind the successful venture were:

Bucky Tervo

Jose Irizarry

Emma Sepulveda as Event Planner

Yours truly, Marcos Vidal

THE OUTCOME IS HISTORY. This was possible by supporting Rotary

with: -Activities that provide challenges and

new ideas. -Your presence in each activity is key.

-Active search for funds and new members to ensure survival of our Club.

A FEW WORDS OF APPRECIATION

Our Speaker Program was reinforced and our appreciation goes to the person

who chaired the Committee,

Dr. Norman Maldonado, for the success obtained with excellent

speakers.

- We celebrated 2 revelries, * one at Rest. Antonio and * The Brewery in Old San Juan,

thanks to

Claudio and Alberto

The International Programs went very well, same with ROTARAC and INTERACT

and the RYLA Program headed by Carlos Matos, Juanita Morris and

Raymond Erb, respectively.

Our finances were managed with excellence by Ken MacGrath.

Jennifer Bates did an excellent job revamping the Minutes and conducting the Corporate Membership process so

swiftly. Club Service was taken care by DiDi,

who was in charge of the gift cards during the year.

Jorge Gonzalez was very supportive and effective with the

New Generation Program and supporting the Congress of Leaders.

Our Club Administrator, Pat Schneider, as always, was very supportive and teamed up with our PR Specialist and Communicator,

Joanne Curcio, keeping all Rotarians informed. GREAT JOB EVERYONE!

In summary, our Club is in good standing, despite of the economic environment. We raised

$28,000 thousand dollars to continue our Club’s service and mission.

FOR NEXT YEARBy working together as a team we can accomplish fundraising at the Rotary

Week Fair to raise at least

$50,000

My sincere wishes to Claudio with hopes of much success

in his endeavors and, of course, he can count on me

for support or whatever advice he may need.

Despite the economic environment, it has been a good year for our Club and I hope it will continue to be for all mankind. The past experience will be treasured in my heart and

memories for years to come, and so will these simple, but powerful words:

“Reach within to embrace humanity”

Thank you and God bless you all.Marcos A. Vidal,

President San Juan Rotary Club

2011-2012