Thanks to 2016-17 Historical Preservation chair, Larry Edwards for compiling this list of highlights of the 2015-16 Rotary Year. Tim Strange, President
Rotary Highlights 2015-2016
• Rotary Point: This two-year Signature Project was completed on May 6, 2016 and included the presidencies of Jerome Holmes and Tim Strange. Club 29 members provided over $215,000 to complete Rotary Point.
• International Projects: Club 29 reached out to establish new relationships with Rotary Clubs in Montenegro, Latvia and Bhutan. Donations of medical equipment were made to hospitals in Eastern Europe and assistance provided to training programs in Turkey, Peru, Rwanda and Bhutan.
• 105th Inaugural: Installation of President Tim and Rotary Board was celebrated at the Devon Boathouse on July 7, with over three hundred Rotarians and guests in attendance.
• Rotary After Hours: Eleven social events were held during the year. Venues included Deep Deuce, Myriad Gardens and The Criterion, among others.
• Bedlam: A special Bedlam meeting was held on August 25 to honor Bob Barry, Jr. and the years (2002-2014) he hosted Bedlam. His family was in attendance.
• Dictionaries: Again this year, dictionaries were distributed to third-graders in the Oklahoma City and Putnam City school districts.
• High Tech: The Club 29 website was updated courtesy of S Design and Larry Stone. The club newsletter went totally digital in August.
• Membership: Rotary’s largest club continued its growth as it added 67 members, while the club lost 49 members who resigned, moved or were deceased.
• Club 29 Staff: Evidently Oklahoma City Rotary Club is a good place to work. Shirley Kirschner was honored for her forty-one years of service and Cheryl Byrd celebrated her thirty-fifth year on the club staff.
• Junior Rotarians: Thirty-six Junior Rotarians were chosen from ten Oklahoma City High Schools.
• Bell Ringing: More than sixty Rotarians rang bells for the Salvation Army, raising nearly $3,800.
• Every Rotarian Every Year: Contributions by Club 29 members totaled almost $65,000 that was forwarded to Rotary International.
• Total Distributions: In all, Club 29 made just over $400,000 in distributions to various projects during 2015-2016.
• Club 29 Chorale: Under the direction of Cheryl Byrd, the chorale sang the national anthem at the March 11th Thunder game.
• Paul Harris Fellows and Paul Harris Society: Eleven new Paul Harris Fellows were awarded and the club now counts 85 members of the Paul Harris Society.
• Youth Protection: A Youth Protection Policy was approved by the Board of Directors in order to safeguard youth who participate in programs such as Rotary Youth Exchange.