President Sofie Ameloot welcomed everyone to the Centerville Rotary Club and led reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Brian Hayes provided the prayer.
Today’s quote provided by Don Overly: “Your talent is God's gift to you. What you do with it is your gift back to God." Leo Buscaglia (Author)
Thanks to Dale Berry and Socks Bowersocks for being greeters today.
Welcome today’s guests:
Pat Beckel’s guest, Ashley Campbell, owner of The Fairy Godmother, recently awarded Business of the year and the Spark Award; Jeff Senney’s guest, Ksenila Mildsua, newest attorney at Pickrel, Schaeffer & Ebeling; Ron Tringali, potential member.
President Ameloot shared her thoughts as she wrapped up her year as President of the Centerville Rotary Club. Sofie thanked everyone and noted she learned so much from all. She is especially proud of the work the club did this past year to have a positive impact on women and children.
The people in this club clearly demonstrated Rotary’s motto, “Service Above Self, giving over 1000 service hours at 21 service projects throughout the year. Our efforts ensured a full belly or snuggles with a warm blanket, along with many others.
“This Club is strong because you are strong,” said Sofie.
The Club helped the CHS Interact club become stronger and invested in our schools through the dictionary and thesaurus distribution, and funding of middle school field trips, and high school scholarships, We supported Artemis, Agape for Youth, and the CHS Environmental program by planting trees, and funding a future orchard - planting seeds for future generations.
Other accomplishments this year included establishing the Rotary Coffee Club and Rotary Women Connect groups, giving an opportunity to talk about Rotary outside of the regular noon meetings.
We embraced new technology and have grown our social media presence, including taking drone footage of some major events.
We received a $5,000 donation from the estate of Kitty Ullmer, a long time member who was our bulletin editor for many years.
We supported our exchange student Enzyme, who had a great school year in the United States
We had successful fundraising at the Pancake Day and Golf Outing, with the increased focus on supporting Hannah’s Treasure Chest.
We now have a 501(c)(3), which is already funded thanks to a generous member donation.
Sofie thanked everyone who gave time and shared talents to further the goals of the club. We live the motto every day.
President Ameloot then presented the Service Above Self Awards for the 2024-25 Rotary Year:
Kristen Hutton for social media efforts.
And a special gift for Kristen's new baby, Declan, who was in attendance at the meeting today (and didn't make a peep!)
Brian Hayes for serving as Secretary.
Chuck King for writing successful grant proposals.
Socks Bowersocks for taking on the task of Set up & Break Down each week.
And a few more that will be presented when they are in attendance. Congrats to all!
President Ameloot then announced the Rotarian of the Year - Kelly McDonald. Kelly was involved in most everything we did. He was never too tired to take on new work, led the golf committee, established a new club foundation, got TV coverage for the Peace Pole dedication, and was Sofie's right hand. Kelly will be sorely missed by the club as his work requires a move to Arizona.
Uriah Anderson announced the Board approved a new policy to present the next Paul Harris Fellow to the outgoing president. Congratulations and thank you, Sofie!
Sofie the asked for a motion to approve the revised presidential slate for the 2025-26 year:
President: Adam Mannning
President Elect: Uriah Anderson
Vice President: Pat Beckel
Dale Berry made the motion, Brian Hayes seconded and the motion was approved.
Chuck King then administered the Oath of Office to the 2025-26 year President, Adam Manning and Adam gave the following welcome:
“Everyone! After a long year of exile, I am excited that my forces have prevailed and I have been given the opportunity to regain power of the historic Centerville Rotary Club. The year away from the presidency has given me time to reflect on everything I did wrong in my first year and now, hopefully, I can do things right!
In all seriousness, I am so excited to have another crack at this wonderful opportunity. I want to take a minute and thank President Sofie for her wonderful leadership this year. Under her guidance we were able to make tremendous strides, establishing our coffee club, becoming a 501(C)(3), establishing the Rotary Women’s Connect, re-establishing a relationship with Centerville schools, having numerous social gatherings, two successful fundraisers, several service projects, etc, etc. Sofie, you truly are an inspiring person, your giving and hard-working nature is admirable, and a Rotarian once said you are “the heart of this club”. Please never forget that. I hope you enjoy the next few weeks of vacation, take some time to relax, have fun and recharge……..We need your tenacious efforts for Pancake Day and getting donations so please hurry back soon!
I want to also thank our runaway Rotarian of the Year Kelly McDonald. Kelly, you have been a driving force in this club. You have set this club up for success for many years to come. I admire people that work hard and to say that you work hard does not do you justice. I have never met anyone in my life so willing to help and to help a cause. This past year Kelly put in over 60 volunteer service hours for our club. I want everyone to think about that for a minute. This is 2.5 days of “documented” service hours to our club. Not to mention the countless hours you have put in being on the board, chairing the golf outing, scheduling speakers for our weekly meetings, being on the Board of the Dayton Diaper Depot and doing this all while working a full-time job. As many of you know, Kelly was in line to be President this year, but a job opportunity is taking him to Arizona. I felt it was necessary to pay forward all the help you gave me in my year as President in 23-24 and step in for you this coming year. I think we are all grateful for the positive impact you have made for our club, and my hope is that we can make you proud by all the things we do moving forward. Thank you for all you have done, you will not be able to be replaced.
We have some challenges in front of us. While the world around us seems to be out of control I want to take notes on the speech that I gave to you two years ago. “Remember the helpers”. Growing up, I spent a lot of time with my grandparents Bill and Ruth Manning. They were always donating their time helping others in need. They have had such a positive impact on my life, and I am eternally grateful for the time I had with them. Many of you in the club have kids, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, foster children you name them. Please know the time you have with them is invaluable. Your actions will also be mimicked, for better or for worse. Please let your young ones know what you and what your club does. While you may get some scoffs and eye rolls now, later in their lives they will remember you as “one of the helpers” and hopefully they will step up and live our motto, “service above self”.
Team, we have work to do. My goal is to have service projects and to get folks involved. The Rotary International motto for 25-26 by Rotary International President Elect Francesco Arezzo is “Unite for Good.” This is a call on Rotarians to be a force of unity in the world. Through service projects, Rotary brings folks together. Let’s use this motto as inspiration this year. While Rotary is and International Organization and folks are in need globally, we have people in need in our own back yard. While I don’t expect everyone to put in 2.5 days of service hours, I expect all of you to be “one of the helpers”. Let’s roll up our sleeves, let’s help those in need, clean up our community and area and let’s get the young ones involved to help. I’m looking forward to another 12 months with you. Thank you for everything you will do and thank you for everything you have done. I am truly honored to be at your service. Thanks.”
Chuck King then inducted the 2025-26 Centerville Rotary Club Board:
Past President - Sofie Ameloot
President - Adam Manning
President-Elect - Uriah Anderson
Vice President - Pat Beckel
Secretary - Brian Hayes
Treasurer - Don Stewart
Foundation Director - Ron Hollenbeck
Education Foundation - Brad Thorp
International Director - Gina Smith
New Generations - Pat Turnbull
Community Service Director - Lisa Goris May
Thank you and congratulations to these dedicated Rotarians!
Happy Bucks this quarter will go to Operation Warm for winter coats for children.
Pat Beckel was the Sergeant at Arms with assistance by Brian Hayes.
Raffled off this week:
Agave & Rye/Firehouse Subs gift cards $60 value - Lisa won
Flying Pizza/Archers/El Rancho $55 value - Lee won
Happy Bucks were generously given for:
- Pat B’s youngest son thanked him during his high school graduation speech.
- Kristen H for Kelly’s efforts and friendship
- Kelly M for a coat and the great weather
- Jim H for all people serving on the board, today’s guests, and Kelly
- Bob D for having lunch with people who serve community
- Arnie B did Venmo for the first time and wished good luck to the new officers
- Lee H noted it was a great year with another coming up, for the storm last night, and the ag report stating in Ohio schools, more kids are getting involved in agriculture. In Miamisburg schools, 1/3 of the Freshman class is enrolled in Ag, with the majority of them being women.
- Pat T gave thanks for Sofie providing a connection in Belgium for his daughter.
- Mark thanked Sofie for her leadership
- Chuck K congratulated the new board members, thanked Sofie for good year, and wished Kelly good luck.
- Harvey S said, “Ditto.”
- Socks gave thanks to all the officers, and said he is still married after a three week trip in Alaska
- Boyd P thanked Sofie for great year, good luck to Kelly, and congrats to the new board
- Ron H said, “Ditto.”
- Crissy A for Sofie, Kelly, and gave a welcome to the new board
- Elda GG for Sofie, Kelly and glad to be back as she’s been struggling with allergies
- Dave T thanked Sofie for her hard work, and congratulated Kelly
- Brad T encouraged Sofie to enjoy the Past President role
- Jeff S announced today is wife’s birthday, so the club sang HBD to Sharon on video
- Bob F for Sofie’s leadership, for everything Kelly brought to this club, and celebrating 20 years with Rotary and his 70th birthday
- Lisa GM was happy to be part of this club, thanks to Sofie & congrats to Kelly
- Carol K gave thanks to Sofie for a great year, to Adam for stepping in as President again, and to Kelly for all he gave to the club, noting she looks forward to when he returns to our club.
- Uriah A for the outgoing and incoming Board members
- Sofie for being part of the “Adam Sandwich”, congrats and thanks to Kelly, and to a great club
- Raj G for the outgoing and incoming boards, and thanked Kelly fir his wonderful contributions to this club.
- Adam M for Sofie, the “Heart of our club,” and to Kelly, noting we couldn’t have done a lot this year without his contributions.
- Pat B for Kelly who changed the club for the better
Past President Ameloot thanked everyone, reminded all to BRING A FRIEND to Rotary, lead reciting of the 4-Way Test and said she would see us all in 6 weeks!
