On June 20, 2011, at the in Elizabeth Park, the West Hartford Rotary Club held its annual induction dinner for new officers for the 2011-2012 Year. In attendance were 70 in all, including members, family, friends and visiting dignitaries.
Outgoing Rotary District Governor Prasad Menon spoke, citing West Hartford Rotary for its strong tradition of service and explaining the critical role of Clubs and their Presidents in furtherance of Rotary’s service missions.
Governor Menon also cited Club member Dr. Robert Claflin for his service to the Club-affiliated Interact Club at . The Club also honored Robert Kiely as its Member of the Year and James Killian with its Service Above Self award and noted Paul Harris Fellowships honoring the contributions of members Bruce Stanger (Past-President, 2009-2010) and Christina Metcalf.
Governor Menon administered the oath of office to 2011-2012 President Elizabeth D. Horyn and then to the Club’s other officers and directors in attendance.
The Club's 2011-2012 Officers and Directors include: President-Elect (2012-2013) Dana C. Gordon, Vice President James Ruel, Secretary Patricia Kiely, Treasurer Hap Liebman, Sergeant-at-Arms Cynthia Lang and Directors-At-Large Kyle W. Egress and Robert Kor. Immediate Past-President Louis Vamvakas will also serve on the Club’s Board for 2011-2012.
In her inaugural address, President Horyn named My Sister’s Place, located in Hartford, as the principal charity the Club will support in 2011-2012. My Sister’s Place provides temporary housing, counseling, job-training, placement assistance and other support to victims of domestic abuse and their children.
Noting that when she and her husband, Kazimir Horyn, came to America as poor immigrants from Poland in 1983, they benefitted greatly from the help of generous friends and neighbors, Horyn said it is important for us all to reach out to those near us and to extend a helping hand when needed:
“It is nice to have material success, but people and friendships, not money, are what’s most important for a successful and happy life.”
Along with supporting My Sister’s Place, President Horyn set two main goals for the club during the coming year: first, to build club membership, increasing the rolls by at least ten members, and second, to increase members’ attendance and participation in service projects to even higher levels.
The West Hartford Rotary Club is a member club of Rotary International. The Club and its members have served West Hartford and neighboring communities since 1952 and look forward to celebrating their 60th anniversary January 14, 2012.
Club projects include Lobster Fest each fall, a lobster and steak dinner scheduled for Saturday, September 10, 2011 on the grounds of the American School for the Deaf, an Auction Dinner each spring, a new Comedy night planned for November, and numerous other functions.
In addition to My Sister’s Place, the Club supports numerous other causes through financial contributions and volunteer service, including Hillcrest Area Neighborhood Outreach Center (H.A.N.O.C.), Amber Alerts in the community, all third-grade students of West Hartford, along with , through the Dictionary Project in which members teach about Noah Webster and his life and give to each student a new dictionary.
Beyond the community, the Club supports, in conjunction with Rotary International, ambassadorial scholars from West Hartford for study abroad as well as projects providing clean water infrastructure to underdeveloped communities and fighting malaria, polio and other crippling diseases around the world.
West Hartford Rotary Club meets weekly, except on holidays, Mondays 12:15-1:30 pm at The Pond House in Elizabeth Park. Visitors are welcome, and all are invited to learn more about the Club, its projects and the charities and causes it supports by visiting its website: http://www.westhartfordrotary.org.
For further information, please contact Christopher A. Stratton at (860) 324-0227.
