Starting at noon today, I will ring a bell to call the regular meeting of the Forest Rotary Club to order as its new president. Actually, my term began July 1 after my election on June 30, but the club did not meet last week.
Most members of their Rotary Club know that sooner or later, they would likely serve as club president. In my case, sooner came much earlier than later.
I have served as a member of our board of directors for two years, but I figured that I was further down the hierarchy than I was in the chain to the top job. Last minute circumstances with our club's leadership and a new year starting resulted in my taking the presidency earlier than planned.
That is fine with me. I am looking forward to the challenges ahead.
On Saturday, I traveled to Jackson to meet with our Rotary district's governor and another officer for an impromptu training session. Most Rotary presidents have already served as vice-president and have attended a training session.
On my way over and back, I couldn't help but think about my own Rotary experience that includes a lifetime of memories.
It was ironic that I was elected on the same day as my dad was ending his term as president of the Rotary Club in Winona. Actually, it was his second time around in the position as he took office much in the same way I was elected.
I have many fond memories of attending Rotary meetings with my dad during the summer months while school was out. It was fun to join him in an activity where I was able to form friendships with other business leaders in our community. I also attended a number of annual events that the club sponsored.
It was a special part of the many bonding activities that my dad and I could call our own together. When my son, Aaron, is born in a few weeks, I am already looking forward to carrying on the family tradition in taking him to meetings when he is old enough.
When I graduated from Ole Miss and my first job was back at my hometown newspaper, one of my dad's friends and fellow members sponsored me in being inducted as a member in my own right.
One of the first things my dad told me was that if I was going to be a part of Rotary, I had better plan to attend meetings. Attendance is very important in the club - as it should be.
Unfortunately, I did not get to spend a lot of time there as my career took me to other places in the state.
Eventually, after I made my way here to Forest, I was invited to re-join Rotary. I felt like I had come home. Forest is a lot like Winona and a part of my original home came to be a part of my current one.
As familiar with Rotary as I am, I learned some things during the training and received a big binder of information that I am still sorting through.
I don't know how well I will do as our club's president but I am excited about the opportunity and grateful for the club's confidence in me.
We have a lot of goals to accomplish and I look forward to serving an organization that has meant so much to me personally as well as professionally.
Chris Allen Baker is a native of Winona and serves as the news and sports editor for The Scott County Times in Forest. He can be reached by e-mail at cbaker@sctonline.net.
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