The end of one Rotary year on June 30 and the beginning of the new year on July 1 means one thing for many clubs: the annual roasting and demoting of the president who has served the past year. At the same time, the new president is usually installed at the same ceremony.
That process was handled a bit differently this year as the Rotary International Convention took place in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, from June 21 to 25, overlapping the usual dates for these demotion dinners.
District Governor Judy Zulfiqar installed Richard Savich, the new Mountain Sunrise Rotary Club president, and his board.
The Mountain Sunrise Rotary Club held its demotion dinner early – on June 18 – as both Elizabeth O’Neil and Richard Savich, the outgoing and incoming presidents respectively, both planned to attend the convention. Because O’Neil has two dogs, Oliver and Charlie, who are an important part of her life, the dinner had a decidedly canine theme. As she arrived at the Twin Peaks Community Center, all those in attendance held up masks of her two dogs. The members of the organizing committee performed a skit wearing inflatable dog costumes, which brought an uproar of laughter from everyone. Judy Zulfiqar, who served as the District 5330 governor for the 2024-2025 year, told everyone what a great time she had. She installed Savich and his board.
The Lake Arrowhead Rotary Club installed their 2025-2026 president, Jeri Simpson, at their first meeting of the new year on July 1. Past District Governor Joe Ramos, a member of the club, did the honors.
Outgoing president Jay Rynda was roasted and toasted at his demotion dinner, held on July 10 at SkyPark at Santa’s Village. The airline-themed celebration paid tribute to Rynda’s years as a pilot as well as his journey as club president.
Outgoing president Jay Rynda congratulates his successor, Jeri Simpson, at his demotion dinner.
Because Jeri-Lynn Miller will serve as the president of the Crestline-Lake Gregory Rotary Club for a second year, that club held an end-of-the-year celebration rather than a demotion dinner. While dining on the patio at La Casita, the members reminisced about all the things they had accomplished over the past year – increasing EarlyAct to five grades at Valley of Enchantment Elementary School, organizing and sponsoring the free community Thanksgiving dinner, participating in the dental screenings and sealant program, collaborating with the Lions Club on the backpack giveaway.
For more information on the three local Rotary clubs, visit their websites:
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