Happy New Year! As we enter the second half of this year, I know everyone is still excited from all the wonders that the annual holiday season brings. It’s a time for reflection of the year past, but also a time to look forward at what is to come.

As we begin 2012, I encourage you to reflect on Rotary. Hopefully, you are aware of what a fantastic organization you are a part of and what Rotary means locally and internationally. As a refresher, I offer the following: in February, Rotary will celebrate its 107th birthday; there are over 1.2 million Rotarians worldwide; there are over 32,000 Rotary clubs in 200 countries; Rotary has helped all but eradicate polio; the Group Study Exchange program has helped more than 57,000 young professionals explore their career fields; and the Rotary Ambassadorial Scholars program has helped more than 47,000 students from 110 countries study abroad. Rotarians make a difference!

Thanks again for the role each of you play to make Metro Rotary such a wonderful organization. I look forward to the next six months!

President Jim

Metro Rotary will host its monthly fellowship social from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 5 at Shakespeare’s Pizza (225 South 9th Street).

All Metro members and friends are invited to attend! This is an excellent chance to visit with your fellow Rotarians as well as get acquainted with our new members. We hope to see you there!

PROGRAM - Sarah Read, Political Civility

GREETERS - Barb Danuser & Rob Quinn

INVOCATION/PLEDGE/ FUNDRAISER - Kristi Ray

Happy New Year!

Believe it or not, our Rotary year is nearly half over.  Our club continues to succeed with international and local projects, with fundraising activities and exchange student sponsorships.  We have been fortunate to again have strong leadership in our club officers and a board of directors that contribute to our success.

Please give thanks to those who donate extra of their time and talents to Metro Rotary:

President Jim Sharrock, Vice President Marcia Machens, Secretary Shawn Barnes, Treasurer Gena Patton, Sergeant-at-Arms Rose Hayden, Historian Win Burggraaff and Past President Cindy Whaley

Board of Director Members:  Ron Bodenstab, Les Gelband, Bob Unrath, Les Borgmeyer, Casey Buckman, Andrew Stone, Rob Bartel, Rose Hayden and Brad Nelson

Best wishes to everyone for a safe and healthy holiday season!

Note:  METRO ROTARY WILL NOT MEET ON DECEMBER 28. We look forward to seeing everyone on January 4, 2012!

PROGRAM - Joe Walljasper, Columbia Daily Tribune

GREETERS - Bill Costello & Brad Nelson

INVOCATION/PLEDGE/ FUNDRAISER - Win Burggraaff

met December 14 at the Columbia Country Club.

PROGRAM - Bart Filipiak, Classification Talk

GREETERS - Karen Brown & Bette Wordelman

INVOCATION/RAFFLE/ FUNDRAISER - Robert Brooks

Metro Rotary is proud to be Partners in Education with the Columbia Public Schools’ Title I Program.  For the 8th straight year, Metro presented Leadership Development Awards to selected schools.  This year’s recipients were Derby Ridge Elementary, West Blvd. Elementary, Rock Bridge Elementary and Rock Bridge High School.

Derby Ridge Elementary

West Blvd. Elementary

Rock Bridge Elementary

Rock Bridge High School

We all have many things to be thankful for, and families are a large part of all our lives. As Rotarians, we are fortunate to have an extended Family of Rotary. We appreciate and are very familiar with our fellow Rotarians that we see weekly, but we also have Rotary family members in other clubs, other districts, in other states and other countries!

This is a wonderful time of year, and an excellent time to reflect and give thanks for all our blessings. Your efforts to further our club’s charitable causes are most appreciated, and they have an impact, direct and non-direct, on many individuals. Our continual devotion of time, talents and financial resources is a reflection of our club members. I am grateful for everyone who continues to place Service Above Self!

Thanks for all you do on behalf of Metro! Have a wonderful holiday season, and best wishes for a safe and healthy 2012!

President Jim