by Kirby Lindsay, posted 19 July 2013
The Rotary Club Of Fremont gave now-Past President Mark Steelquist a celebratory send off, held aboard the Fremont Ferry, at the end of June. The next week, on July 2nd, Al Souza took over the helm – of the Fremont Rotary (a.k.a. the Fremont Fun Club.)
“Mark did a good job setting us on a five-year plan,” current Fremont Rotary President Souza told me. Steelquist led the Fremont Rotary through the Rotary International leadership program, to create a succession plan. As a result, Souza benefitted from having a full year of preparation for his presidency. “I went to a formal training that Rotary puts on,” he acknowledged, “me and Mark would meet periodically to talk…”
Souza feels ready to meet the challenge of leading a group that one Fremont Rotary Past President, Jean Withers, likened to ‘herding cats.’ “We’ve got a lot going forward,” Souza did observe.
‘Up To Us To Move Forward’
A husband and father of three, Souza brings an ability to commit to his post at Rotary. Through his work, in the insurance and financial services business, Souza demonstrates a dedication to others, and their goals. Professionally, he will talk with his clients, “to help them clarify their objectives and reach their goals,” he explained.
As an experienced Rotarian, Steelquist assisted the Fremont Club through a Rotary International vision planning session, particularly the 2 ½ hour meeting where members shared their fundraising and financial goals. Together, the Club created a five-year plan, and signed on to the philanthropic projects they want to see completed. “I thought it was great,” Souza said, “Now it is up to us to move forward on these projects.”
He’s determined to help the Club realize its goals, but Souza also sees wiggle-room – if needed. “If something else comes up,” he said, they can pursue it. If the Club identifies another cause they want to champion, outside of those already specified, he’s willing to add it to the list if the Club agrees to take something else off. He’s not rigid about the Club goals, but he is about staying the course.
He’s also anxious to avoid another possible pitfall. Rotarians, including Fremont’s, attend weekly meetings. “I want to make sure it is a tight meeting,” Souza said. The Rotary Club of Fremont is considered a small club, at approximately 25 members, but all are Fremonsters. “I don’t want the meeting to be a free-for-all,” he explained, “and it can get that way quickly.”
Souza has Programs Chair Robert Hammer to depend upon for the weekly meeting topics. “I told Robert to think outside the box,” Souza explained. He’d like to hear about what other Clubs are doing – particularly programs that have worked elsewhere. Yet, Souza also praised past programs about micro-financing and incinerating toilets, and he sees a wide-range possible in the future – from the economy to new marijuana laws. Ultimately, he wants meetings that draw members in and, as he observed, “people will be drawn into a good conversation.”
Marks On The Five-Year Plan
One markers on the Fremont Rotary five-year plan is to establish a Fremont Rotary Foundation 501(c)3. As Souza explained, during its many fundraisers, the Fun Club must pass any money they receive directly to the 501(c)3 charity immediately. As their own 501(c)3, the Club could work with more than one funding source and distribute money to several different charities.
This year, “I want to get the 501(c)3 done,” Souza stated, “if I get that done, that will be a big accomplishment.” With his professional experience in finance, Souza sees the IRS paperwork as, “just a process.” Yet, he also wants it as a vindication to the hard work put in by another Fremont Rotary member. As he said, “John Booker has been working on it for five years!”
Another goal for Souza, and the Club, is to create one significant fundraiser. “I’d like to establish an annual fundraiser,” he said, but he also revealed his own dream, of something athletic. With Brooks Sports relocating to the foot of Stone Way, near where Speedy Reedy already has a store, “I think that location is prime for a triathlon,” Souza said, but he also admitted he’s open to ideas. “I don’t know if that’s the answer,” he said.
He’ll have a lot of help with fundraising from his President-Elect – the person who will take over for him next July. Beth Tesh, Volunteer Coordinator at B.F. Day Elementary School and a long-time Fremonster, will be able to help with many of these projects, and Souza did agree, “I’ll be working with her this year.”
‘Kind Of Sad’
One goal Souza would like to add, and hopes Tesh can help realize, is an increase of membership of the Rotary Club of Fremont by at least 10% this year. “We gain people,” he said, “then we lose people.” He eventually wants to set a membership goal of 40 members, but admitted, “I don’t know what the answer is, but I think a lot of people don’t know we exist, which is kind of sad.”
Souza acknowledged that when he first found the Club, “I didn’t know what Rotary is.” He did know that while he’d worked with St. Vincent De Paul, “I was looking for an outlet for service,” and he found the Fun Club.
For anyone looking for an outlet – or more information about Rotary – meetings take place on Tuesdays at Hale’s Ales Brewery at 5:30p. On the second Tuesday of each month, club members – and visitors – make sandwiches for Operation Nightwatch and Compass Center. Come help spread the mustard, place the pickles, and find out more. Check them out on-line, on Facebook, or get your invite at members@fremontrotary.org.
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©2013 Kirby Lindsay. This column is protected by intellectual property laws, including U.S. copyright laws. Reproduction, adaptation or distribution without permission is prohibited.