July 2, 2009

Rotarians,

It is with great pride and honor that I begin my year as President of the Rotary Club of South Hill. We have just completed a successful year under the leadership of President Herbert Farrar.  Every member can be proud of our accomplishments in 2008-09.  I promise to do everything in my power to continue the success we experienced last year.

I want us to have fun as we go about our Rotary business in meetings, programs, activities, and fellowship.  I plan to focus our Rotary Club toward community-based projects such as participation in Market Square and Revitalization events and honoring our dedicated men and women who serve our community in the fire department, police force, and rescue squad.  I am also very dedicated to the education of our young people.  I want to carry on our active participation in “lunch buddies” and the “Accelerated Reading” program at South Hill Elementary.  I wish to maintain the “Dictionary Project” which has been highly successful in many Rotary Clubs nationwide.  We will continue the Four-Way Test Essay Contest and our Scholarship Program.

The Rotary International theme for the year 2009-2010 is The Future of Rotary is in Your Hands.  All Rotary leaders are encouraged to establish a reasonable growth plan and to pay special attention to service projects, which meet the greatest need and provide the greatest benefit.  Continued focus on Water, Health, Hunger and Literacy projects is encouraged.  Water should be the first priority because it is a necessity of life for every man, woman and child.

We have been fortunate in the last few years to have some outstanding new members join our club.  Future members will be provided information about Rotary to begin their development as productive Rotary leaders.

I do want to place special emphasis on The Rotary Foundation.  This is the heart of Rotary and it provides funds for projects worldwide.  Our club can contribute by increasing our number of Paul Harris Fellows and Benefactors.  I will become a Rotary Benefactor after assuming office and challenge other members to do the same.

Let’s continue to work for the betterment of Rotary and our community.

Yours in Rotary,

Charles C. Wright"
President