1998-1999 / 1999-2000

On Friday June 25, 1999, we celebrated the '98-'99 successes of outgoing DG Ed Paparella and welcomed incoming DG Herb Jerry to the '99-'00 Rotary year.

Click here for names & pictures of
COG Award Winners for 1999.
(6 Membership Awards
8 District Awards &
22 Leadership Awards)

6 Membership Awards:

Dolgeville - (2 Awards) Both RI Awards Highest Growth Rate 80%
and Most new members + 8.

Accepted by Dolgeville Club President Sam Licari

Marcellus - District Award - Growth Rate 35.7% - New Members + 5

Accepted by Marcellus Club President Ron Ramsden

Chittenango - District Award - Growth Rate 14.8% - New Members + 7

Accepted by Chittenango Club President Bob Williams

Hamilton - District Award - Growth Rate 17.9% - New members + 5

Accepted by Hamilton Club incoming President Jake Graber

Oriskany Falls - District Award - Growth Rate 18.2% - New members + 4

Accepted by Oriskany Falls Club President Carol Loomis

Fulton - (2 Awards) One District Award for Growth Rate 9.1% and New members plus 4, and also a RI Award, Sponsored a New Rotary Club.

Accepted by Fulton Club President Judy Young

District Awards:

Individual Exemplar Award - Joe Wolczyk

Significant Achievement Award - Utica
Vocational Service - Utica
International Service - Utica - incoming President Don Reese

Club Exemplary Service - Eastwood - President Rosalie Rubenstein

Communication - Fulton - President Judy Young

Innovation - Oswego - President Mike Brower

Club Service - Marcellus - President Ron Ramsden

Community Service - Sauquoit

22 Leadership Awards:

Don St. Louis & Jim Dorris -Two District Leadership individuals who chased our Dream every day...motivating & encouraging the Clubs and Area Representatives. No task was to difficult and always gave 110% to our District vision. To our Leadership Dreamers...thank you.

Rotary Foundation Leaders - In the world of Rotary the energy & strength we have is fueled & guided by the Rotary Foundation. One of the World’s largest private international scholarship programs, Rotary Foundation funds matching grants, helping grants, 3 “H" grants, and provides grants for University Teachers to serve in developing countries. The Foundation truly does the impossible - polio eradication & reaching out when disaster strikes. The Foundation Dreamers in our District this year: DGE Ward Vuillemot - coordinator of our District Labor Day Disaster. Bruce Davis - brought to closure our Mexico Literacy Project. Don Reese - coordinated our very successful Group Study Exchange with Sweden. Bob O’Meara - embraced our Kosovo challenge. Duane Weaver - kept our numerous Labor Day Storm funds & disbursements in order. Thank you, our Foundation dreamers.

Joe McCarthy -We were one of just a few Districts that held their own on membership. We brought in over 125 new members bringing us to our starting number of 1777. A great accomplishment. As our membership chairman would say ”Work the program and you will get results”. To our Membership & Extension Dreamer.... Thank you..

Al Kalter - One of the biggest responsibilities we have as a District is our Youth Exchange Program. Guardians of our world family, future generations...how awesome a responsibility. Over 60 future leaders who will promote Peace & Goodwill. To our long term Youth Exchange Chairman International Dreamer ..Al Kalter...Thank you

Jerry Kelley - The heart of an organization could not survive without a person...who cares, is helpful, organized and radiates with a humble glow everyone respects and admires. Our outgoing District Secretary and Dream Team coach...Jerry Kelley...Thank you.

Terry DeCola & Terry Plizga - Jim Lacy said repeatedly...Do it for the children this year. The two Dream Conn ’98, District Conference co-chairperson Dreamers will forever be remembered for the 40+ children from the Greater Waterbury area who experienced the love and care from our District Rotarians & families....We did it for the children in ’98. Terry De Cola & Terry Plizga ..Thank you.

Ursula Flagg - The District Conference treasurer, Ursula Flagg, worked through personal challenging times during the peak time of conference registrations, always supporting the committee and me. Serving Rotary is her driving passion. Thank you Ursula.....

Annette Guido & Robin Bridson - One of the labor intensive tasks in every District is the monthly District Newsletter. Sharing this responsibility were our DreamScapes Dreamers ..Annette Guido & Robin Bridson. For showering our District with continuous interesting & informative Rotary Highlights....a sincere Thank you..

Linda Beha - There are those individuals who step up and say....”let me help. .you have enough to keep you busy ..I will coordinate this project/event”. Once this person assumes responsibility I was confident it would be another well executed event. This person coordinated tonight’s celebration. For our project/event Dreamer...Linda Beha ..Thank you.

Sadieann Spear & Dorthea King - This year, on Make a Difference Day, our District received national Recognition on a project involving self-esteem and helping young males groom for success, in USA Weekend News with a 42.7 million circulation. The project also involved another service organization, Frontiers International. A grant of $2,000 was awarded the Greater Utica Sunrise Rotary Club, 1 of only 2 in New York State. The coordinators on the project were Sadieann Spear & Dorthea King our Dream Esteemers..

Mark Mayne - Jim Lacy asked that we ask the 1.2 million Rotarians in the world....”What do you think we should do after we eradicate polio from our world”. I went to an individual who has organizational skills that most of us wish for. He grabbed onto the “Dreams For The Future” task with passion and perseverance. Many of our District Dreams we saw in our results summary. To our “Dreams For The Future” Dreamer --- Mark Mayne...Thank you.

Donna & Mike Occhipinti - A child from China........A first for our District and another awesome responsibility .... The Gift of Life Program. It’s in the faces of the parents that we see the joy...and the miracle ..to Mike and Donna Occhipinti...for Dreaming new and extended Life for our world’s children...Thank you.

John Engelmann - The Past District Governor Council meets regularly throughout the year and has an Organizational Structure. This year’s chairman is John Engelmann. With his leadership and vision for our District and Rotary International, John supported my Dreams for this Rotary year and was a vital part of our membership development committee. He was notified this week a Children’s Opportunity Grant , which he coordinated was approved for $18,000...John Engelmann, Thank you.......

Bob Gilchriest - To keep our past, present and future alive....we always turn to our very faithful District photographer, Bob Gilchriest....sharing his time and talent so that we will always have memories of our Past, Present and Future. To our Dream Photographer, Bob Gilchriest.....Thank you.

Marlene Brown - It was one year ago, right here, when I approached this individual and asked if there was an interest in getting involved during the ‘98-’99 Rotary year. We reached for the stars and landed in the midst of a new world, unknown to us. For our Technology Dreamer - Marlene Brown ... Thank you.

Dave Peterson - A person who has been a resource, friend and mentor for two years. He has made my responsibilities so much easier and supported me every step of the way. We transitioned together from “Show Rotary Cares” to “Follow Your Rotary Dream” PDG Dave Peterson. Thank you.

D7150 DG Ed Paparella, 1998-1999