ImageI can attest to the range of emotions that flow while taking the Oath of Office as President of the Dublin AM Rotary Club. There is gratefulness for the leadership and friendship I received from Claudia Trusty over the past year to say nothing of the valuable lessons learned in watching and participating in her stewardship. Those emotions extend to the members of the 2011-2012 Board of Directors and to Mike Close and Julie Rinaldi for their encouragement and willingness to take on any requested task.

There is a measure of anxiety that  you and your plans will be worthy of the membership of a club which has continually  demonstrated their commitment to the Rotary Motto of  “Service Above Self” and their fidelity of the Four Way Test.


There is pride and humbleness in the unflagging support of my wife.


With these swirling emotions, next comes the challenging words of the District Governor – “You must accept this new responsibility as one of trust as upon your judgment and knowledge of people, will rest the success of this club as an instrument of service to your local community and the world.” This was the point where I thought of looking around for an exit! As great a challenge as those word bring forth (and they are challenging) I believe an even greater challenge for me is to recognize the proliferation  of talent, intelligence and energy which resides in our membership and having so recognized – stay out of the way!


In many ways with the wealth of ability and experience which resides among our membership, with the base provided by Past Presidents, with the innovative mindset of those who are entering the life of Rotary, this club almost runs itself.


I  have strong confidence in the in-coming Board of Directors and I look forward to executing the business of the Club with the their advice, direction and  what I know will be unvarnished debate. Most of all it is vital the I as Prescient and the Board of Directors listen and learn from you, the members. Dave Connolly said it best a couple of years ago: "This is not my Rotary year, or the Board’s Rotary year – this year and every year is the Club’s year and the leadership must conduct itself accordingly." The future shines, the horizon is attainable, the path beckons – together we can, and I believe will continue to grow and prosper both as individual Rotarians and as the dynamic, productive and proud club named Dublin AM.  God Bless.


Dave Holliday