Bringing home the award for the Rotary Club of SaddleBrooke are, left to right, Bill Demeroutis (Environmental Services), Diane Demeroutis (Membership), John Oszust (2023-24 President), Monica Oszust (head cheerleader), and Kristi Halvorson (sworn in as District Foundation Chair). Not pictured: Barbara Barr Bengen (sworn in as District Assistant Governor).
The Rotary Club of SaddleBrooke Continues Its Winning Streak
Barbara Barr Bengen
So there you are at the annual installation of the new District Governor and awards for the 2023-24 Rotary year. You’ve been an award–winning club year after year. In past years you’ve won awards for things like membership growth, membership retention, being a club that has the most fun, service projects, contributions to various Rotary programs, and a variety of other awards. Then there is the annual Presidential Citation, you bring home year after year. As they begin announcing the awards for the 2023-24 year, you wonder how you will be recognized by the district this year.
Every time the District Governor says, “And the winner is …” your ears perk up. Then finally you learn your club is recognized for “Membership Engagement.” It takes a team to keep Rotarians engaged.
Membership engagement begins with strong leadership, and 2023-24 President John Oszust was amazing. His meetings were fresh, fun, interactive, and meaningful. John’s sidekick, Monica Oszust, made wonderful contributions to our gatherings. Being a great leader, John also selected an incredible list of committee chairs, officers, and directors. John and his team made such a difference.
One of the most important jobs in any organization is supporting the club members. Club Services chair Wanda Bailey worked tirelessly to make sure we have fascinating speakers, fun–filled social events, and opportunities to get to know each other. Wanda made sure our club responded to the needs and interests of our members.
Another key to membership engagement is a strong membership team. Headed by our new President, Wendy Guyton, and Diane Demeroutis, our membership team lead the district. Their recruitment, onboarding, mentoring, and support programs were so phenomenal that they trained the 51 Rotary Clubs in the Southern Arizona district.
Also, membership cannot stay engaged unless they are well informed. Webmaster and Bulletin Editor Joe Guyton made sure our members were in the know! It takes tremendous dedication to keep up the webpages and weekly bulletins.
Furthermore, membership engagement all requires offering significant opportunities to make a difference. Chairs of our various committees made sure that we had plenty of service projects and events to help us make a positive contribution to our community and the world. The fabulous leaders of our service committees include: Wanda Bailey: Club Services; John Howard: Community Service; Bill Demeroutis: Environmental Services; Dan Watson: Fore For Kids Charity Golf Tournament; Stephen Argentati: Interact and RLY Chair; Harvey Smith: International Service; Wendy Guyton and Diane Demeroutis: Membership; Doug May: Peace Chair; Wanda Bailey: Public Relations; Tom Turriff: Rotary Foundation; Bre Zientarski: Vocational Services; Roger Bailey: Youth Services.
Lastly, it is the officers and directors who keep the machine running to support the committees and members who are making a difference.
Paul Herr: Director at Large
Gordon Wainwright: Immediate Past President
Wendy Guyton: President Elect (President as of July 1, 2024)
Leslie Hawkins: SaddleBrooke Rotary Club Foundation President
Liese Razzeto: Secretary
Joe Guyton: Treasurer
Come join our fun on Thursdays at the Ranch! Contact Diane at [email protected]!
Maggie de Block (far left) accepting the role as president from her predecessor, Ron Lenz (far right). Also pictured is Barbara Bengen, center.
SaddleBrooke Sunrise Rotary Club Welcomes New Officers
Christianne Dettmann
Once you’ve met Maggie de Block, you won’t forget her! A powerhouse of energy and great ideas, she recently accepted the reins as the SaddleBrooke Sunrise Rotary Club’s newest president on June 20. Her inspiring and capable predecessor, Ron Lenz, also inducted new officers Gary Haslett, Jennifer Williams, and Roger Swett in their respective roles as secretary, project coordinator, and treasurer. These friendly and dedicated volunteers—along with their club members—are committed to making a difference both inside and outside SaddleBrooke and SaddleBrooke Ranch.
Believe it or not, SaddleBrooke actually has two Rotary clubs, each benefiting the community in its own ways. The SaddleBrooke Sunrise Rotary Club focuses on hands-on service projects, such as loading and unloading donations for the Tri-Community Food Bank in Mammoth, Ariz., stocking five Little Free Libraries across Pinal County, and helping staff the Moonlight Madness sales at the Golden Goose Thrift Shop on Oracle Road, just to name a few. This club also raises funds that benefit nearby community organizations such as the Triangle Y Ranch Camp, 51 Vets, and others.
In addition to its voluntary endeavors, the SaddleBrooke Sunrise Rotary Club meets on the first and third Thursday of each month at SaddleBrooke Ranch in the Hacienda building at 8 a.m. If you would like to join this inspiring—and FUN—group of folks, please contact the SaddleBrooke Sunrise Rotary club at [email protected].