Last Week's Meeting
A Woman’s Place is in….Rotary!
The new Rotary year began with the installation of Sharon Letson as club president. The room was packed with members and supporters but, most importantly, included Sharon’s husband Dan and their children and grandchildren. The kids added their own special commentary to the proceedings! In recognition of Sharon’s accomplishments, her family gifted her with a Paul Harris Fellow.
Prior to the formal proceedings, PDG and past president Scott recognized four past female district governors in attendance: Debbie Esbenshade, Linda Ferguson, Suzanne Fleming, and Sieglinde Warren. In addition to Rotary International being led by its first female president, Jennifer Jones, Scott noted that all of the club presidents in our Division 1A this year are women. Quite an accomplishment, given that Rotary International didn’t formally admit women until 1987. As a club, YoRo is 45% female, and two-thirds of members are under 60 years old.
After remarks by Suzanne Fleming and the introduction of Sharon by Scott Schulick, District Governor Michelle Charles from the Rotary Club of Canton stepped up to preside over the installation. Michelle has been president of the Canton Symphony Orchestra since 2011. She joined the Rotary Club of Canton in 2011 as a way to meet people in the community. Loving the fellowship of the group, she quickly became involved, serving her club as secretary, president-elect, and president in 2018-2019.
After her remarks, Michelle called on past presidents Elayne Bozick, Suzanne Fleming, Becky Keck, Samantha Turner, and PDGs Debbie Esbenshade and Scott Schulcik to flank her around the podium. Michelle administered the oath of office to Sharon, who then installed members of the board of directors. Sharon also called forward the members of the board of the Youngstown Rotary Foundation who were also sworn in.
Sharon recognized her friends, family, mentors, and supporters. She listed her priorities for the coming year, and announced that once again, our club will have an international exchange student, an 18-year old who hails from Pompeii, Italy. The student will be hosted by Gregg & Deanna Rossi and Dave & Joanna Stillwagon. In a scenario reminiscent of The Gift of the Magi, Sharon presented her husband Dan with a Paul Harris Fellow. Sharon was then given another Paul Harris by DG Michelle, making her a PHF +2!
After the installation was complete, Scott introduced Elizabeth Usovicz, board member of Rotary International, attendedhhh by Zoom to congratulate Sharon and offer her support. Usovicz is affiliated with the Rotary Club of Kansas City-Plaza and is principal of White Board Consulting, which focuses on business coaching, business development strategy, and market insights. Usovicz joined Rotary in 1997. She served as a Rotary public image coordinator for three years, a facilitator for multiyear district planning for zones 30 and 31, on the training team for governors-elect training seminars, and as a curriculum chair of the Heart of America Rotary Leadership Institute.
The theme for the new Rotary year is Imagine Rotary. So it was fitting for everyone in attendance to stand and sing John Lennon’s Imagine:
Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today, ah
Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace
You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one
Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world, you
You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today, ah
Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace
You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one
Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world, you
You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one