Broomfield Rotary Club: A Legacy of Service and Community Impact

First, I, Dennis, apologize for not getting a picture of all the past presidents last night. Being relatively new to the club, I was sitting and listening, fascinated by all the history, so it completely slipped my mind. I hope we can find a time in the next few weeks to get this group back together for a portrait before that opportunity no longer exists.
 
I also tried to write a summary of what each president had to say, but those summaries did not do them justice.  I even thought about giving you a transcript but Paul, understandably, made me delete the recording. As an alternative, this is a brief summary of the entire meeting that was compiled by Jay Swoboda's AI software and edited by Dennis Kennedy. 
Thank you, Jay.
 

sUMMARY

Our Presidents emphasized that the Rotary Club of Broomfield has a rich history of making significant contributions to both local and international communities. Through various projects, fundraising activities, and educational programs, the club has left a lasting legacy of community development, support for nonprofits, and a strong emphasis on membership and involvement.
 
Historical Contributions and Achievements
We were reminded of the Rotary Club's history that is marked by impactful community projects and fundraising activities. Notable achievements include the construction of shelters at Outlook Park, the establishment of a Rotary Club in the Solomon Islands, and various fundraising events like Odyssey 2000 and the golf tournament. The club has also contributed to international projects, such as providing equipment for children with hearing problems in Africa.
 
Community Impact and Legacy
Rotary Club members have been involved in local governance, community events, and the establishment of important community resources like the Veterans Museum. The club's legacy includes contributions to cancer awareness and support, as well as educational programs for children.
 
Notable Presidencies
  • Clayton Shearer: As the youngest president at 32, Clayton Shearer moved the club's location and raised dues, which remain the same since 2018. Despite some unachieved goals that he joked about, his presidency was marked by significant changes.
  • Jeff Carlson: Jeff kept the club together during the COVID-19 pandemic, Jeff Carlson's presidency saw limited meetings and activities. Fundraisers and events were shut down, making it a challenging period for the club.
  • Ben Vagher: Congratulations to Ben for his platelet donations, surpassing 100 gallons, Ben Vagher joined Rotary in 2019 with the aim to improve the organization's financial status. His contributions have significantly benefited nonprofits in Broomfield. 
  • Paul Derda: Paul, known as "The Voice of Broomfield," is the oldest member of the Rotary Club of Broomfield and has been part of the club for 45 years. His long tenure provides a unique historical perspective on the club's evolution. He was part of the original JCS group that formed the Broomfield Rotary Club and has connections to founding members like Joe Mazzola and Vic Buccard. Paul has held many leadership roles in Broomfield, such as Director of Parks and Recreation, overseeing the construction of shelters at Outlook Park, and being involved in key community initiatives like starting the Relay for Life event. His longevity, historical connections, and contributions make him an invaluable member of the club.
 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

  • Past Presidents’ meeting
    • In honor of Presidents’ Day, several Past Presidents of the club were in attendance.
  • GTO sweepstakes
    • PP Ben Vagher announced that the GTO winner was selected and lives in Johnstown. He is working on final P&L numbers.
  • Imagination Library
    • PE Dennis Kennedy announced the formation of an Imagination Library committee. The first meeting will be on March 13 at 5pm. Please see him if you’d like to volunteer.
  • Flower Power
    • Service Director Kym Groom announced that our club continued its longstanding tradition of delivering flowers to local area senior centers this past Monday morning.
  • Photos of service projects
    • PE Dennis Kennedy asked for “action shots” of service events that could be used on the club website.
  • Hilton
    • As we’re adjusting to our new meeting location, please be mindful when interacting with staff. Ask a board member if something is needed & they will relay the message to the Hilton staff.
 
  • Speaker: Past Presidents of Rotary Club of Broomfield
 
  • NEXT WEEK: 
  • Service Project. In honor of Rotary International’s 120th birthday, our club will participate in a service project next Thursday. We’ll meet at 6pm at Broomfield FISH to help sort, and pack, food for our Broomfield neighbors.