What? A month has passed in my presidential year already? How time flies when you are leading the best Rotary club in the world. July was memorable for many reasons. I certainly enjoyed my two weeks in Nantucket . . . until, that is, I got word from Rick King that RI President John Germ was fining me $200 for missing two club meetings during my first month at the podium. Thank you to Past President Lisa and President Elect Rose for presiding over the meeting in my absence.

I would also like to extend my appreciation to Dirk Lorenz, our Youth Services Director, who orchestrated a bagpiper to pipe me into my first meeting on July 7. Actually, in the history of the English language, I am not sure anyone has ever used the verb “orchestrate” in relation to bagpipes before. I have to tell you that being piped into an occasion is very emotional for Scots folk, even for a pseudo-Scot like me who has been in the States since I was in high school. The last time I was piped anywhere was at my wedding in 1998, where my dad piped me into the ceremony. I am sure my wife’s family must have wondered what she had got herself into. Thank you, Dirk and all your co-conspirators, for arranging the piper. I loved it!

July was bookended with two excellent opportunities for club members to get together and do what we do best – have fun. On July 4, our newly minted Social Chair Past President Lisa spearheaded Area 3’s entry in the Fremont Fourth of July Parade. As you could see from Mary Lynn Pelican’s photos, our parade entry was fantastically decorated and had great posters publicizing the work that Rotary does in the world. Assistant Governor for Area 3 Karen Koshy, from the Fremont Warm Springs Sunrise Rotary Club, rode on the float and ensured that all the clubs in the Area were well represented. That afternoon, Past President Chuck Canada hosted his by-now annual and legendary July 4 BBQ on his newly super-sized deck. The good news is that the work Chuck and Past President Steve Landon did to extend the deck proved strong enough to hold roughly 60 Nilesians and guests. Thank you, Chuck, for opening your house again to the club.

At the end of July, our ever-busy Social Chair, Lisa, and Jim Brunelli organized an outing to the production of Beauty and the Beast staged by StarStruck Theatre. What a production! The cast and crew pulled out all the stops to bring the Disney classic to life on the stage. The standing ovation that the cast and orchestra received was well deserved. The evening began with a dinner hosted by Chris and Bev Louie at their lovely home in Pleasanton. Thank you, Chris and Bev!

So we move onto August, which is looking to be a busy and fun-filled month. On tap, we have a service project with the Fremont Chamber on August 5, Mentoring Meeting on August 9, Bocce on August 13, Hit n’ Giggle golf outing on August 26, SightNow Fundraiser on August 28, and Friday Fellowship Evenings all month long. Details for all these events will be announced on the website, in the eBulletin and at club meetings. Join us . . . and don’t forget to Keep Calm and Serve On!

In Rotary,

President Angus

It is with some trepidation that I sit down to write my first President’s Column for the Pinion. When I think of all the presidents who have come before me, I am, I have to confess, a little intimidated. And most immediately, I am realizing what high heels I have to fill after Past President Lisa’s year at the podium. Thank you PP Lisa for a wonderful year leading Niles Rotary. Your focus on membership growth grew our club by 14 new members and your commitment to the Rotary Foundation ensured that we exceeded our goal in Foundation giving. But, most of all, your warmth and charm each week expressed the enthusiasm you have for Rotary and the love you have for all the members of Niles.

I would also like to thank the outgoing board members for their service to the club. John Dutra, you held down the club service duties with aplomb. Terri Landon, you kept us busy with community service projects far and wide. And Past President Steve, you made sure that our social calendars were full of engagements. To the incoming board members — Paul Andrus and Sandy Stabile — thank you for stepping up and taking leadership of community service and club service, respectively. Past President Lisa, you are a natural for Social Chair, so we are expecting a eventful 12 months of socializing. And at the back table, I would like to thank Steven Springer for serving ably as Sergeant-at-arms for the last year. Dana Jones and Steven have been Co-Sergeants for the past six months, and now Dana will assume those duties herself. Thank you, Dana, for taking up the reins in that role.

When I look back at my year as president-elect, I am first of all astonished at how fast the 12 months passed and second of all thrilled by all that I have learned about the Rotary organization. My journey to Seoul, Korea for the Rotary International Convention was undoubtedly the highlight of my president-elect year. Being in the same vast room with 25,000 other Rotarians from all over the world was truly awe-inspiring. And hearing about the global impact of Rotary made me proud to be an ever-so-small part of the organization. With then-President Lisa, I met a Rotarian from Kathmandu who offered to host us if we ever visited his home town. Simon Cho (who, it turns out, is descended from Korean royalty) set us up for a Korean banquet and a tour of the Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea. He even talked our Korean tour guide into singing a traditional Korean love song. Daren Young answered that by leading us in a rendition of Smile for the baffled and disbelieving Rotarians on our tour bus. It was a trip never to be forgotten.

In the year ahead, I hope to lead us all in a year of Rotary exploration, opening all our eyes to what Rotary accomplishes around the world and in our own region. It is a great honor to be your president this year. My door and inbox are always open; if you have any requests for the year, please feel free to get in touch.

Yours in Rotary,

President Angus