It’s not every day that Rotary celebrates a club centennial, but Rotarians from District 5340 had that honor this year when Imperial Valley clubs celebrated 100 years of service. Rotary clubs celebrating 100 years were Calexico, Brawley, Holtville and El Centro. Imperial celebrated 25 years.
Making the event even more special was the attendance of Rotary International President Shekhar Mehta and his lovely wife Rashi. President Mehta was the keynote speaker for this event and his speech left everyone motivated to keep working and growing Rotary by focusing on the goal of everyone bring one and everyone keep one.
The two-day event was held at the Quechan Casino Resort in Winterhaven, California on January 7 and 8. Two Districts (D5340 and D5500) were represented at the event including D5340 Governor Dan Gensler, Governor-Elect Chuck Pretto, and Governor Nominee Don Fipps. Past District Governors Marge Cole and Mel Gallegos and his wife Judy attended as did Zone Director Vicki Puliz and Assistant Governors Melissa Short and Hortencia Armendariz.
The celebration included a tour of the area, a social hour to kick off the event and breakfast for the committee members with President Mehta and Rashi. The evening included videos of charter members sharing their experiences of service above self and why Rotary is important for communities and the world.
The planning of the centennial began in 2020 under leadership of committee chair Clifford Caldwell who acknowledged all the hard work put into making this celebration one to remember. Kudos went out to leaders of District 5340 committee members Eric Freeman, Bob Barros, Robert Menvielle, George Marquez, Hortencia Armendariz, James Garcia, Dillon Faubion, Maria Lucas, Ross Daniels and Peggy Price.
There is no better way to covey the excitement of the evening better than with pictures. Below you will find a sampling of camaraderie experienced during the celebration.
