Join us for Dinner
with Rotary International President John Kenny

July 18th at the Holiday Inn in Boxborough, Rotary International President John Kenny will be the featured speaker at a dinner celebrating the seventh Rotary club formed, one hundred years ago in Boston, Massachusetts. Cocktail hour begins at 5:30 PM with dinner and festivities at 6:30 PM. The cost of dinner is $50.00 per person if you make reservations today or $60.00 per person after July 1st: No Walk-ins. If you plan on going contact Ira to make your early discount reservation today. You may download a copy of the registration form or contact Stephen O. Roy about the details. There is a choice of Prime Rib or Swordfish. Please let us know if you plan on representing Haverhill Rotary at this event.

President's Message

What a day! The Installation Lunch was more than I had even expected. Joe Cleary's induction of the new 2009-2010 Board of Directors was appropriately light-hearted, yet with tremendous meaning (and implications!).

I want to again thank John Cuneo for the tremendous leadership he showed during the past year. He guided us through a year during which we moved our meeting place yet again and has inspired us in so many ways. As the leader of the District 7930 Group Study Exchange to South Africa, he made us proud. He has motivated us to undertake our biggest fundraiser ever: the Duck Regatta in September. Thank you, John, for all that you have done and all that you continue to do!

I assume the position of President of Haverhill Rotary with a sense of great responsibility and a commitment to both FUNDraising and FUNraising.

It is true that when we gather each Thursday in the middle of a work day close to the end of the week, we seek some rest and calm, escaping from the hectic pace of our businesses or offices. Enjoying the 75 minutes of downtime is, I believe, necessary to be productive in our jobs. Enjoying the company of others and engaging in light conversation provides a much needed break.

However, as we meet each Thursday, we must not lose sight of our existential purpose. We are first and foremost a service club. "Service Above Self" is our motto and we need to remember the many organizations and causes in our community that turn to Rotary for help. Without our "being there," our community would be a different kind of place. We should take pride in the impact that Rotary makes in Haverhill, in the district and in the world.

I look forward to the next year, albeit with some trepidation. I know, however, that we have a great club and that all the members of Haverhill Rotary will rally to support our work in the coming year.

Thank you for the honor of being your president!

Rotarily Yours,

Ira