The Rotary Club History of Amarillo - 2004 to 2005 

Gary Stevens was the club's 88th president. He joined Rotary in 1968 under the classification of Telephone Service and was a career employee of Southwestern Bell Telephone Company.   The theme for the Rotary Year was "Celebrate Rotary".  The theme was most appropriate because it was the 100th year of Rotary.
 
The focus for the year was to enjoy Rotary.  Every Rotarian that demonstrated his or her enjoyment of Rotary received a Centennial Rotary Prize (CRP).  The prize was a small telephone magnet that rang when the receiver was pushed. President Gary gave out over a hundred to the membership. This was not the only thing that made our club enjoyable during the year. Past Presidents of the club were selected to function as monthly program chairs and members were treated to a nice array of entertaining and informative programs. Fellowship continued to be one of the strengths of the club and President Gary occasionally injected some humor into the proceeding, like weekly.

District Governor Charles Cotton (Greater Odessa) made his official visit to the club on August 5, 2004 was overjoyed to be met by a room full of committee chairs for his Club Assembly. Twenty-five club members gave reports of projects and activities planned for the year.

Amarillo Rotary Clubs were hosts to thirteen Russians beginning October 14, 2004 who were related in various ways to the pharmaceutical industry in their hometowns. They centered their visit at the Texas Tech School of Pharmacy. Members of our club helped other clubs provided room and meals, transportation, and entertainment for the Russians during their three-week stay.

Rotarian Sam Lovelady was the perennial host for the club Christmas party held at the Amarillo Club on December 9, 2004 and Sam was in great form. Few were spared from his humor and wit. About 150 club members and guests enjoyed the well-planned event.

Rotarian Tom Higley pulled a surprise presentation of a Paul Harris Fellow to his spouse Brenda at the club meeting on February 5th. She became the 212th Paul Harris Fellow awarded by our club.

In lieu of the annual Valentine’s Party our club joined other Rotary clubs in the area to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of Rotary by attending a gala event at the Amarillo Civic Center on February 23, 2005. Almost 500 Rotarians and their guests represented most of the clubs in the area around Amarillo. Tributes to the founders of Rotary, its accomplishments, and the successes of Rotary in our area were made. It was difficult to not to take pride in being a Rotarian when the evening ended.

The year was not without its note of sadness. One of the patriarchs of our club, Dr. Allen Early, Jr’s funeral was held on April 13, 2005. Allen joined Rotary in 1949, maintained perfect attendance, and served the club as president in 1981-82. Other former club members who died during the year included Bill Zelsman and Vess B. Barnes.

President Gary threw out the first pitch on Saturday April 9th when the Rotary Park at the YMCA’s baseball/sports complex was dedicated on Hillside. Several Rotarians were present to assist in the ceremony as well as sell tickets for the upcoming Shrimp and Catfish Roundup.  Proceeds from the S&CR go to help fund the construction of the project. Coverage of the event was on Amarillo TV stations at six and 10 Saturday night. President Gary’s pitch was true and perfect—straight to the catcher with out a bounce or bobble. 
 
The Rotary Club of Amarillo had made a commitment to the YMCA of Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars to be paid over a ten-year period.  To meet this commitment the club continued its annual funding raising project -The Shrimp and Catfish Roundup. It was held on April 30, 2005.  Pam Rushing was the Chairperson and was assisted by a multitude of club members in staging the event. Corporate sponsorships were sold and club members bought and sold tickets to the event to raised funds. More than 1200 meals were served during the evening. The club presented the "Y" a check for Twenty Five Thousand Dollars as a result of the project.

Other successful projects included a one thousand dollar contribution to the Mentoring Program, fifty library books to AISD in lieu of speaker gifts, six hundred dollars to Boys Ranch, Rotarians worked the Salvation Army Kettle Drive at Christmas, scholarships for Boys and Girls RYLA Camp, the Diabetic Camp, and Walter Johnson headed up another successful Holdup Program. Two Fireside Meetings were held for the 21 new members inducted during the year. Twelve new Paul Harris Fellows were awarded, bringing our club total to 224. 
 
The club received several awards at the District Conference in Odessa that was held May 12-15, 2005. The Centennial Challenge Winner from our club was Pam Rushing. A Presidential Citation was awarded to Club President Gary Stevens. The RI Present Glenn Estes Commitment To Service Award was presented to Walter Johnson. The Amarillo Club was cited for its Public Relations efforts, and Pam Rushing won another award for Membership Recruitment, recruiting six new members.  The Rotary Club of Amarillo was recognized as a member of the exclusive Blue Chip Club category and the club’s Centennial Project with the YMCA was recognized. PDG Paige Carruth received the First District 5730 Distinguished Service Award. Tom and Pat Dawkins won the Cruise To Alaska Raffle drawing.

The highlight of the Rotary International year occurred June 18-22, 2005 in Chicago when the 100th Centennial Rotary Intentional Convention was held. President-elect Wes Knapp and Toni, Past President John Huffaker and Charlotte, and PDG Paige Carruth and Norma were there for the celebration.

PDG Doyle Moore completed a seven-year commitment of service to the Lone Star President-elect Seminar at the end of the Rotary year. Doyle lent his talents to PETS in many positions: Discussion Leader, Registrar, Operating Chairman, Treasurer, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees.

With Jean watching, President Stevens ended his year on June 30, 2005 by summarizing the events mentioned above and received his Past President’s pin. Our club raffle drawing for the Ace of Spades was won by ________________________________  and he split the $4500 pot with The Rotary Foundation. Past President Stevens retired to Table A in the back of the room.