It is indeed a privilege to serve as your President for 2009-2010. It is hard to believe that it has been three-and-a-half years since that fateful day in December of 2006 that I was elected Secretary.

I can share with you that the past three-and-a-half years have been a great learning experience for me in the world of Rotary. These experiences have also helped me to understand the real value of the Rotary Club of Indianapolis in our community and across the world of Rotary.

How fortunate that my election corresponded with the Johnson Grossnickle (JGA) Initiative. I believe the work of the JGA Committee chaired by current President Denny Sponsel was a defining effort by the Rotarians who participated. The commitment emanating from the results of the JGA Committee has produced a dramatic change in our Club. During the past two-years we have welcomed more new members than any Rotary Club in America. The diversity of our club has been enhanced in noteworthy ways.

What Club in America can say that we will have seen a pre-eminent woman business owner, an African-American not-for-profit leader, a white male middle-aged highly successful business owner, a white male not-for-profit CEO, an African-American male business executive and former State Legislator, and a female not-for-profit executive leading our club consecutively? After attending the Large Club Conference with 68 other Rotary clubs in Oklahoma City, I can tell you that we are not only the Club with the highest number of new members, but we are the unquestioned leader in American Rotary in the diversity of our leadership.

To my mentors and teammates Elaine, Ralph, Denny, Will, Mark, Matt and most recently Peggy, thanks so much for your support and encouragement. In a very special way, I want to acknowledge the inspirational leadership that Denny Sponsel, both as Chair of the JGA ad hoc committee and as President, has provided. He has truly been a transformative figure for our Club. Following him will be a great challenge. But in the spirit of Rotary, I will follow him and so many other past presidents who have left their marks. I promise only my best and my sincere efforts to keep alive the great momentum achieved in the past and to promote fellowship and goodwill among all of our members. I will work to continue the outstanding programs for which we have become known; to promote service both locally and across the world, and to uphold the Four-Way Test and our commitment to service above self. I pledge to work hand in hand with our outstanding Board of Directors and our Executive Director Susie Harmless and her staff to accomplish these goals.

May the good Lord guide me in my efforts.