In 2022-2023, we’re addressing three tenets:  enhancing kids’ education, protecting local ecosystems, and promoting a healthy economy for all.  We’ve continued funding the Boys & Girls Club of Holland at an annual cost of $100,000, and members have traveled with our high school Interact Club to the Dominican Republic to build schools and latrines and provide drinking water. We’ve helped fund and implement the Household Hazardous Waste Disposal for the Tri-Community.  We launched a tree-planting initiative, again with Interact, that will see 5,000 trees planted in the next year.  We continue to sponsor events that boost the local economy, including July 4th fireworks, Mt. Baldhead Challenge, and Inter-Urban Cup Mini-Golf.

From a fiscal standpoint, we’ve raised $240,000 (of $300,000 pledged) for the Boys & Girls Club of Holland; $12,000 for hazardous waste disposal; $2,000 for local charities, and $3,000 for 1,400 trees planted so far and another $8,000 for an additional 4,000 or so trees.

On July 1 we also“rotate” from the existing administration to a new one.  In is a new President, Pia Kealey, together with a new Board of duly-elected officers (directors).  This seamless leadership transition is part of the fabric of Rotary International and exists at all levels.  This ensures the opportunity for all Rotarians to share responsibilities and to develop professionally and personally.  Of note, too, is the increasingly diverse nature of the Board and of our membership to they reflect what our community looks like.

The spoked wheel of our Rotary logo continues to rotate only with the combined investment of time, treasure, and talent of both the Rotary Club of Saugatuck-Douglas and the community at large.  It does indeed take a village, and we invite and encourage everyone to work together for a better Saugatuck-Douglas.  “Community,” to cite Merriam-Webster again, means “a group of people with common interests” and as “a feeling of caring about others in a group.”  That’s all of us, isn’t it?

Bob Godfrey, Outgoing, and Pia Kealey, Incoming President