This past week we honoured and reflected on the past year with President Gerry and Satellite Chair Rick Caron.
The Chair of the Satellite Club, Rick Caron, began the meeting with an overview of what the Satellite Club has accomplished this year. Their theme was “Social Justice” in all of its forms. They stand for diversity, equity and inclusion, and they have supported these values with many hands-on club activities involved in community service.
While fundraisers were put mostly on hold this year due to the pandemic, they welcomed new members, growing the club to 30 and honoured several community members with Peace Chain Links. They’ve also been working to reinstate the Rotaract Club so that it can launch next year.
The club also produced the Brentwood cookbook, joined the Windsor-Essex Rainbow Alliance and through that, has been actively working to collect and preserve local documents about the LGBTQ2+ community.
Looking to the future, outgoing Chair Rick Caron is excited about their plans to host a golf tournament in the fall!
He thanked the outgoing board for their support, hard work and great dialogue this year and wished good luck to the incoming board and 2021-2022 Chair of the Satellite Club.
President Gerry began his speech by saying that his primary goal for the year was to keep the club together. The pandemic has made it difficult, and they have lost a few members along the way because of technical challenges, but overall, he’s very pleased with how the club has adapted and grown over the past year.
He highlighted that the club is still here and stronger & more mobile than ever before, saying, “When you’re forced to do things differently, it’s amazing what you can accomplish”.
Our meetings remained virtual for the year, and president Gerry did his best to make them fun and engaging; and he is grateful for the support he received from members. Throughout the year, we heard from so many incredible speakers. Still, Gerry says, “When our members presented, that was truly extraordinary,” highlighting presentations given recently by Dr. Rajan, Bill Howitt, and Sydney Thompson.
“So grateful for the variety of expertise and talent in our club” – Gerry
President Gerry highlighted some of the events we hosted this year despite the pandemic, including tree planting, paint night for polio, and monetary donations for kettlebells.
He also honoured three members that we’re lost, Gary Champ, Mark Donlon, and Ian Henderson.
President Gerry ended his speech by thanking everyone for their unwavering support during this past year. He thanked past presidents and the support that he has received from the staff and club members.
Stay safe, have a good summer and always remember “Service above self” - President Gerry Pocock.