2009 Installation & Awards Dinner

The meeting was called to order at 7:05 PM by President Bill Landers. President Elect Bola Stephen led the Pledge of Allegiance and Vice President JohnPaul Jourard offered the invocation.

President had a few opening comments, after which he asked Secretary Ken Burgess to introduce our distinguished guests.  Along with Club Rotarians and their spouses/guests, in attendance for the evening were:

Jeff Tallas, Past District Governor and the Installer for the evening
Tracee Tallas, Jeff’s wife
Ade Stephen. Husband of our President Elect Bola Stephen
Margaret Mitchell, Sharpstown Civic Association Director and our Honoree for the evening
Betty Mitchell, Margaret’s mother
Ed Charlesworth, District Governor Elect for Rotary District 5890 (Houston)
Robin Charlesworth, wife of the DGE
Milton Winebrenner, President of the Sharpstown Civic Association
Linda Schmidt, Vice President the Sharpstown Civic Association
Steven Mitchell, son of Margaret Mitchell
Judy Harwell, Lt. Governor for Rotary District 5890
Craig Wooten, Assistant Governor for Rotary District 5890
Ira Landry, Sharpstown Resident
Delores Rieger, Sharpstown Resident
And a host of family and friends honoring Bola Stephen

See Photo Album

Things got really quiet for a while as everyone enjoyed their meal.  Then President Bill presented the President’s End of Year Awards and recognitions.  Recognized for their service to the Club, to Rotary International and to the Community were:

The Rock of Rotary Award – for long standing/enthusiastic service
Delores Delsing
Jon King
Lee Larkin
Ken Marsh
Archie Wilcox

The Humanitarian Service Award – Wayne Staton

The Outstanding Service Award – Karen Blakeman

The Leadership Award – Ken Burgess

Following the awards presentation Karen Blakeman introduced District Governor Elect Ed Charlesworth whose task was to present the Paul Harris Fellowship recognitions for this year.  A Paul Harris Fellow is someone who has donated or had donated in their name at least $1,000 to the Rotary Foundation. It is these donations are what fund all the works of the Foundation and the Rotary District around the world.  You can learn more about the Rotary Foundation here.

Receiving recognition as Paul Harris Fellows this year were:

Sara Stephen, Bola Stephen’s new daughter
Jeff Novy, recognized by the Club for his contributions over the years
Wayne Staton, a multiple Fellow with a dedication to the Polio Plus Campaign
Bola Stephen, a multiple Fellow
Karen Blakeman, a multiple Fellow

See Photo Album

Ken Burgess was then called to the podium to introduce our special Honoree for the evening, Margaret Mitchell.  Margaret was born in Sharpstown, was raised in Sharpstown and now lives in Sharpstown with her mother and her son.  She has been active in the Sharpstown Civic Association for many years and held a number of varying positions.  She is currently a director of the SCA, edits its newsletter and maintains the association’s website.  In between all of this Margaret went back to school to get her law degree and now practices law in the Bellaire/Sharpstown area.  For her drive, her energy and her dedication to keeping Sharpstown a great place to live – the Rotary Club of Sharpstown presented Margaret Mitchell with the recognition of being a Paul Harris Fellowship.  We thank Margaret deeply for her work, and are proud to be able to recognize her in this small manner.

President Bill Landers then introduced Past District Governor Jeff Tallas.  Jeff had a few words about Rotary and his appreciation for the work of the Rotary Club of Sharpstown as a small part of the whole of District 5890 and of Rotary International. He then proceeded to install the new slate of officers and directors:

Bola Stephen – President
JohnPaul Jourard – Vice President
Arif Saleem – President Elect
Deloris Delsing – President Elect Nominee
Ken Burgess – Secretary
Archie Wilcox – Treasurer

Directors:
Club Administration – Jeff Novy
Club Membership – Deloris Delsing
Club Service Projects – Ken Marsh
Rotary Foundation – Wayne Staton
Club Public Relations – Ken Burgess

Sgt at Arms – Jon King

Past President – Bill Landers

See Photo Album

President Bill presented the gavel and the President’s Pin to President Elect Bola signifying the formal exchange of office.

President Bola then presented Past President Bill with a gavel plaque and a Past President’s Pin in recognition of his year as Club President.  Bola made a few remarks and then called on Arif Saleem to lead the assembly in the Four Way Test of the Things We Think, Say or Do.

Following the Four Way Test, President Bola adjourned the meeting.