Message from the President
I am honored, humbled and filled with gratitude to begin serving as your 2010 President. As your President, I know I’m following in some very big footsteps while charged with not dropping the ball. The past Presidents all served with excellence and that is what we intend to strive for and do.
A vision I have for our club in 2010 is to continue our good work and to expand upon what I’m calling “Serving our Community with Significance and Purpose”. As our By-laws state, the object of our club is to
promote the material, civic, and social improvement and betterment of Duval County, in general, and specifically to promote the welfare and advancement of the southside. A reason that we’ve been around since 1932 is that we have and we continue to SERVE Jacksonville, in small ways and big ways, to make it a better place to live and work for others. What we’ve done in the past, what we do now, and what we will do in the future MATTERS and has a lasting IMPACT on lives in ways that we may never know or recognize.
Think about our Youth Achievers Program and the fingerprints that have been left or will be left on some young person’s life. All because a few saw a need. It stoked a desire and passion in their hearts to do something – and it still does today. Think about our Kids Christmas Shopping Spree where we take 30 homeless kids Christmas shopping with tip money we make from pouring beer at the fair for two weeks, which takes a lot of manpower and hours. These kids are able to buy Christmas gifts and experience the joys of giving. It is making a difference and may have a big impact in one of those kids’ lives. Think about the small act of donating a book each week to Kings Trail Elementary in honor of our guest speaker. Who knows what can or will happen when a child reads that book.
I recognize that our time is a valuable and treasured resource and I firmly believe that our priorities go in order God – your family – your work. And these days work is tougher and tougher. And I also know that many of us are involved in other service areas with other organizations we belong to. But with a membership of 350 or so, I’m sure there are a handful of ways, big or small, where we can expand our service into the community without wearing ourselves out or taking time away from other things. What I don’t want us to do is simply stroke a check through corporate sponsors because that takes away from our YAP programs, which I believe is our main service project and obligation to fund financially. I’m talking about hands on volunteering.
That’s my vision. Continuing our good work and expanding “Serving our Community with Significance and Purpose”. I’m going to encourage and challenge us to step out of the boat and go a little deeper in 2010!
Again, I thank you for your vote of confidence. Between the officers and the board of governors, we have a great team and I promise that we will serve you with excellence.
Gene Maszy