President's Final Message
As I sit down to write my final article as President of Roswell Rotary, it's Father’s Day today, and I am not myself. The obvious is true. I am without a father for the 2nd Father's Day in my life. And while this day may be hard, I find myself struggling to put into words what this year has truly meant to me. How do you adequately summarize 52 weeks of leading you all? This has been a great year filled with service, friendships, and memories that will last a lifetime? And I simply must say thank you to Roswell Rotary as a whole!
The truth is, when I joined Roswell Rotary years ago, I never envisioned that one day I would have the privilege of serving as president. In fact, my Rotary journey began for a very simple reason: I wanted to have lunch with my dad. Every Thursday, we would ride together to the Rec Center. He would complain about how far away I parked (even though he got up at 6 am and walked 5 miles), we would -most meetings- sit at a table together, eat fried chicken, listen to the program, and just simply…..spend time together. At the time, I don’t think I fully appreciated what was happening. I thought I was simply having lunch with my father. Looking back now, I realize he was giving me something far more valuable. He was, in a way that only he could do, without me even noticing, introducing me to a group built on service, fellowship, and purpose.
However, when my dad passed away, everything changed.
His passing left an emptiness that words cannot ever describe. That said, I was surprised to find that it also deepened my appreciation for Rotary and the legacy he left behind. Suddenly, following in his footsteps as a Rotarian and ultimately as president became about much more than the obligation and a job to do. It became about honoring the example he set. It became about carrying forward a legacy and being the best damn Rotary President I could be!
I often wondered what kind of president I would have been if Dad were still alive. Would I have lived up to the example of those who came before me, including my father? Would I have been good enough? I don’t know. However, if I am being honest, I don’t think I would have been the president I have been. The role took on an entirely new meaning to me. When I park outside our meeting, I sit there sometimes and have a little conversation with Dad. I so desperately wanted to make him proud. Truth be told, he is the only reason I agreed to be president of Roswell Rotary. He was honestly more excited for me than I ever was. But I realized something very early in this Rotary year…. it was never about me! So, every meeting, before I start the meeting, I start with the same simple prayer: “God for your glory, not mine. God for your glory, not mine.” And each week I wondered if Dad was able to see me from heaven and is proud of what we were accomplishing together.
I so very much want to think so…….
Along this journey and over this past year, I have watched this club accomplish extraordinary things. Together, we welcomed what must be close to a record number of new members, raised incredible amounts for The Rotary Foundation and PolioPlus, honored veterans, supported first responders, inspired students, served our community, and strengthened our friendships. We celebrated milestones, like 75 years as a club and continually demonstrated what “Service Above Self” truly means.
While the awards are nice and important to some in the club, what I discovered is that Rotary has never been about one person. It is about all of us. I have witnessed this club at its very best. And from my heart of hearts, I THANK YOU – each and every one of you. I have seen Rotarians show up when people needed help. I have watched members quietly give of their time, talents, and resources without expecting recognition. I have seen generosity that leaves you speechless and compassion that restores your faith in humanity.
And somewhere along the way, Roswell Rotary became more than the place where I used to have lunch with my dad. This club has embraced me as its president, encouraged me, challenged me, and supported me through one of the most difficult years of my life. In many ways, Rotary helped carry me when I needed carrying. For that, I will be forever grateful. People often say that presidents leave their mark on a club. The reality is exactly the opposite. This club has left its mark on me.
Serving as your president has been one of the greatest honors of my life.
As I pass the gavel, I do so with a heart overflowing with gratitude. Gratitude for every board member, committee chair, volunteer, sponsor, speaker, new member, longtime member, and friend who made this year possible. Gratitude for a club that continues to lead, serve, and inspire. Gratitude for a father who introduced me to Rotary all those years ago without ever realizing just how profound that gift would become.
Dad, what started as fried chicken on Thursdays became so much more. And for that, I will always be thankful.
Thank you, Roswell Rotary, for allowing me the privilege of serving as your president.
For the last time, Sic Vos Non Vobis,
Trummie Lee Patrick III
