Posted by Ann Huber, Asst. District Governor on Oct 28, 2016
2016-2017 District 5500 Governor, Sheryl Christenson will give the Rotary Club of Tucson an update on District 5500 and outline her goals for the 2016-17 Rotary year.
2016-2017 Rotary
District 5500 Governor
Sheryl Hartman Christenson
Sheryl became a charter member of Yuma Sunrise Rotary club 1990. She was the first woman president in 1991-92, went on to be Governor’s Representative 1992-93, Assistant Governor 2005-06, District 5500 newsletter co-editor 2012-13 and Editor 2013-14.
Other skills Sheryl has developed through Rotary include beer pouring, burrito rolling at 3 am, public speaking, bell ringing, mock interviews, and sales skills. She has organized Yuma area Group Study Exchange visits, promoted the 4-Way Test speech contest, and Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA). She was part of the “Don’t Meth with US” committee that does drug prevention programs in local schools using the 4-Way Test as a decision- making tool. The program currently has Public Service spots playing several times a day on Yuma Channel 9.
Sheryl is a graduate of Rotary Leadership Institute and the Tri- District Leadership Academy. She has attended a Zone institute in Scottsdale in the 90’s and the Zone institute in Lake Tahoe in 2012 as a special invited guest. By becoming a major donor she was able to honor not only family, but people who are important in her life. An accomplished watercolorist, her works are in private art collections all over the world and she has a major work in the permanent collection at the Yuma Civic Center.
There are so many layers of leadership in Rotary and each leadership position brings many challenges and rewards. I recently asked our Rotary District 5500 Governor, Sheryl Christenson, to share with us a day in the life of a DG.
Sheryl wrote: “the District Governor is the field officer for Rotary International. I report on the conditions of the clubs in the districts with my club visits. You make it easy for me by continuing your good works in your communities and growing Rotary. There are wonderful men and women in our district. I am amazed at what is accomplished by joining together to serve humanity. I manage the finances of the district with the help of the District Treasurer and the guidance of the Finance Committee........Growing the district and growing leadership is one of my duties......the hardest part of being District Governor is finding volunteers to work at the district level."
Sheryl had high praise for Rotary Club of Tucson and said that as the largest club in the district, many clubs look to us as an example of how to grow. She posed three questions for us to keep in mind: Are you keeping your members?Is there a spirit of joy in your club? Does your club laugh? I think we can say a resounding 'yes' to all three.
Our District Governor went on to say: "I'm so glad I made the commitment to become a District Governor. The joy I have found seeing the clubs and the good works that they are doing has been life changing. My training was paid in part by the district and in part by your Rotary International dues. Rotary International has given the district $12,000 to cover my club visits. The Zone and Rotary are very committed to training good governors. I felt prepared when I visited my first club. I was not prepared for the respect and protocol of being a Governor. It is overwhelming. The kindness shown the District Governor is wonderful."
Rotary Club of Tucson is pleased to welcome Sheryl Christenson, District 5500 Governor, to our club on November 2, 2016. Let's let her see for herself the answer to the three questions she posed to us.
Our first meeting since the fabulous Car Show was opened by PRESIDENT ELLIE. She gave us some inspiring car show comments. The Inspiration moment was given by the beautiful VICKIE JACOBS, a poem about slowing down and now we can with the Car Show behind us.
GARY HIRSCH and TIM DAUGHENBAUGH led us in “America the Beautiful”. Our one and only birthday boy was MARK IRVIN. Thank you MARK for all you do for the Boys and Girls Clubs, ($500) and all you do for Tucson. BRUCE TUNZE, one of our Board of Directors, introduced our Guests and Visiting Rotarians. FONDA INSLEY, Sergeant-at-Arms, asked for more prizes to be contributed for our raffles. Former President and Extraordinaire, DAVE GALLAHER, auctioned off two pairs of U of A football tickets – good job DAVE!
In the announcement department, PRESIDENT ELLIE spoke about the District 5500 Rotary Foundation seminar. Frank Presson, Past District Governor gave the Presidential Citation Award to PAST PRESIDENT PHIL GUTT for his and the club’s 2015-2016 services – Go PHIL! And then PAST PRESIDENT PHIL announced the RCOT Board of Directors Candidates for a two year term – 2017-2019. And, JOHN LEWIS, Board member, announced our “Social Mixer” at CAID Industries on 11/30/16. These mixers are fabulous times when the club gets together to break bread and have fun together. CINDY GODWIN recognized one of our car show sponsors PAT ZUMBUSCH who gave $5,000 to the Car Show – yeah PAT!
Our program was introduced by JEFF RONSTADT. Our speaker, Jim Turner, Historian, spoke about the “Mighty Colorado” River, with its roots in Wyoming at Green River Lake and meeting up in Mohab, Utah. It stretches 1400 miles and touches seven states. Oh, and it is only 25 million years old!
PRESIDENT ELLIE closed the meeting with a quote about history being one thing after another. Happy Halloween!
At our Wednesday, November 2nd Rotary Club meeting, the membership will elect three new directors to two year terms beginning on 7/1/17. Ballots will be available for you to place your vote. If you will not be in attendance, an email with instructions was sent for you to be able to participate in the voting electronically. The RCOT Candidates are as follows:
Peter Beahan
Teresa Liverzani-Baker
Tom McQuillen
Nancy Purdin
Brett Stein
Dave White
Best of Luck to all the Board of Director Candidates.
Pre-Set Field Green Salad with Ranch and Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressings or Fruit Cup
DoubleTree Cookies Served Family Style
Coffee, Decaf or Iced Tea
Beef Tri-Tip; - Roasted Herb Beef Tri-Tip Rubbed with Onion Sauce Served with Red Bliss Potatoes and Seasonal Vegetables
Chef Salad; - Ham, Turkey, Cheddar/Jack Cheese Blend, Hard Boiled Egg, Tomato, Cucumber & Croutons over Chopped Romaine Lettuce. (PLEASE DO NOT ASK THE SERVERS TO ALTER THE SALAD, IT WILL BE SERVED AS LISTED ABOVE. NO CHEF SALADS MAY BE ORDERED AFTER THE FRIDAY DEADLINE.)
Grilled Vegetable Plate; - Roasted Peppers, Eggplant, Zucchini, Tomato and Beets Served with Vegetable Quinoa
Fresh Fruit Plate; - Fresh Seasonal Fruit served with Flavored Greek Yogurt and Low Fat Cottage Cheese
NESDAYS, 12:00 PM-1:20 PM
2016-2017 Rotary
In the announcement department, PRESIDENT ELLIE spoke about the District 5500 Rotary Foundation seminar. Frank Presson, Past District Governor gave the Presidential Citation Award to PAST PRESIDENT PHIL GUTT for his and the club’s 2015-2016 services – Go PHIL! And then PAST PRESIDENT PHIL announced the RCOT Board of Directors Candidates for 
a two year term – 2017-2019. And, JOHN LEWIS, Board member, announced our “Social Mixer” at CAID Industries on 11/30/16. These mixers are fabulous times when the club gets together to break bread and have fun together. CINDY GODWIN recognized one of our car show sponsors PAT ZUMBUSCH who gave $5,000 to the Car Show – yeah PAT!
