Pasadena Rotarians! I’m back!! When I was inducted into the Tarnished Brass society of past presidents back in 2019, I never imagined I’d be back in office just a few years later. But this year’s Rotary International theme is “Imagine Rotary,” and here I am. That theme was chosen by Jennifer Jones who is, believe it or not, the very first woman president of Rotary International. I couldn’t be more thrilled to be serving as your president in this historic Rotary year. (I’ll be steering the ship for the first six months and then my wonderful partner in fun and service, President Elect Justene Adamec, will take over on January first.)

President of Pasadena Rotary

International President Jennifer’s statement of vision and goals for Rotary International begins as follows: “In order to live in the kind of society you want, you have to help build it.” And fittingly, our former President Elect Angela Hawekotte chose a theme that fits right in with Jennifer’s vision. This year, Pasadena Rotary’s motto is “Building Community Through Service,” and that is exactly what we are going to do! I hope you will join me for my first meeting on July 6 and find out all about our exciting new service initiative for the coming year!

And also? We are going to have fun this year! Beginning with our Presidents’ Cocktail Party on July 24, we’re going to have a social event every month as another way of building community. Not only that, but my wonderful husband Gary Kearney has agreed to resume our presidential custom of weekly “Sunday Supper” parties at our house, so we look forward to getting to know many of you better over dinner!

Finally, if you know me, you know I want to grow our Club! So invite your friends and colleagues to our meetings and let’s build our community by bringing in some fabulous new members.

Pasadena Rotary, as we emerge from the trying times of the pandemic, let’s all use our imaginations to find new and exciting ways to have fun, do good, and build our community through service. Please reach out to me any time at president@pasadenarotary.com or 310-710-7701 (voice or text) with your ideas, suggestions, or just to chat and get to know each other.

It’s gonna be a great year, Pasadena Rotary! Just imagine what we can do together!

Yours in Rotary service,

Mary Lou