In honor of Southside Rotary Club's 61st
Anniversary, VP David Walker called upon
some of the club members to speak about,
"What Rotary means to them", "Why they joined
the Rotary", and "What needs Rotary has met".
The following is a summary of their responses.
Sheriff Jim Kaelin:
Sheriff Jim Kaelin stated that he had asked former member, James
Cramer to tell him what the Rotary was all about, since he wanted to
join.
According to Kaelin, he was invited numerously to speak at the Rotary
because of his position with public safety before deciding to join the club.
He was impressed by the Rotary because it was the only organization he
knew of that he could seat at a table and network with people from every
profession.
The need that the Rotary club met for Jim Kaelin was networking and
providing him an opportunity for "service above self".
Kaelin stated that Southside Corpus Christi's Ramp program is "second
to none".
Rendell Webb:
Rendell Webb stated that he had worked with three gentlemen
who were all Rotarian, and was encouraged to join. These three
gentlemen, he said, were very exemplary in behavior. The were
ethical and religious and he wanted to become like them.
John Owen: John Owen said that he was already a Rotarian in
Wisconsin, prior to taking a job here in Corpus Christi. A number
of friends in the Board had encouraged him to join the club here.
Owen also stated that while he was in Wisconsin, the challenge was
made to eradicate polio, by Rotary International. This, he said, is a
mission that is near and dear to his heart.
Owen concluded by saying that he is proud of the Ramp projects,
and is, "really proud of this club".
Gene Seaman said that he is a member of the Ingleside Rotary club. Earlier in his career, he was in the
Philippines as a missionary with his wife. While in Philippines, he attended a Rotary club meeting, and was
surprised to be seating at the same table with the President of the Philippines.
He also stated that he has attended a Rotary meeting at Lagos, Nigeria. "Everywhere you go, Rotarians are
interesting people to meet," he concluded.
Lari Young said that her dad was a Rotarian, and her grandfather was one too. Here dad had asked her to
give Rotary a try, she did so and fell in love. It has been 21 years since!
Dyke Henderson said that as a young man, his family traveled extensively around the world, and wherever
they went, they saw signs of the Rotary club. He also included that his reason for joining Rotary is because of
what Rotary has done for polio and what they continue to do around the world.
Don Ratcliff said that Jim Cramer was one of the best Rotary presidents in that year. He also emphasized
that "service above self" is really what Rotary is about, and said all Rotarians really need to have that mindset.
VP David Walker said that his wife had been a high school teacher and one of her students had competed in
the district conference. He had escorted his wife and her student to the competition and was opportuned to have
sat on the same table as Don Ratcliff. "You know how persuasive Don can be," he said. "The rest is history".
Elain Barnes talked the similarities between Rotary and the Club Scouts. He also talked about the input of
members of the Rotary into the support of scout activities. Two of such members he said are Sheriff Jim Kaelin
and Gene Seaman.
Barnes went on to say that Don Ratcliff had started the project of putting out flags to recognized the veterans
and that Rotary club gets recognition for this effort. He said that on memorial day, they (along with the volunteers
and cub scouts) had put up close to 200 flags.
Elain Barnes concluded with saying that he is a professional engineer, and has held multiple supervisorial and mid-
management positions in his lifetime. But he gets recognized for being a "Scout man".
Joe High said that he joined the Rotary, because of the opportunity to network with individuals that has evolved
into friendships and life-long friendships. Additionally, he said, "You never forget your sponsor". High said that his
sponsor lived in Lubbock, and that he would always stops by to visit when travelling that way.
Joe High said that Rotary gave him and Debbie an opportunity to become part of the community.
District Governor Betty Frantum said that this club (Southside CC Rotary) has been a breeding ground for
district leadership. People have been willing to step up and are always willing to answer the call. She said that
this says a lot about where the club is headed, and about the spirit of "service above self" that has been fostered
here.
Nancy Ross said that she was already a Rotary club member before coming to Southside CC Rotary club. She had
looked at many clubs before deciding to join this club. Each club had its own unique flavor, but she noticed that she
knew more people at Southside CC Rotary club than any other. She said this speaks to their level of involvement in
club matters.
Ross said that she came to a club where you pick and choose what you want to do or support; and she feels that she
is making a difference in the world.
President Michelle Maresh-Fuehrer said she was invited to Rotary by Lari Young, and that once she got here she
knew she definitely wanted to be part of the club. She said that she enjoys being the president of Southside CC
Rotary club and thanked the club for entrusting her with its leadership.
She concluded by saying that so many club members have become close personal friends, but all are family.
Pete Volpe was the last speaker on the topic, and he said that he was invited to join Rotary club by John Erickson.
Volpe said that Rotary allows you to give back to the community. You have to be invited to join, you don't just
join because you want to and "I am happy to have been invited" he surmised.
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