Past President Lawrence Zalasky’s Year in Review

A year ago I stood here before you as the President elect and suggested that we would get a new penthouse meeting facility……no, no I’m sorry that was Allison Redford. I promised that I would control my expense account spending…..no that wasn’t me either that was Michael Duffy. Oh, I promised that I would control my travel expenses……..dam, that wasn’t me either that was Pamela Wallin. I remember now, I promised to do my best for the good of my club and Gyro. You are my judges.
District Governor Jim, First Lady Rita, Fellow Gyros, Gyrettes & Guests……….. The past year has gone by very quickly. It was one year ago when I stood here and Thanked you for placing your confidence and trust in me as I was installed as President of our Sherwood Park Gyro Club. As I reflect back on the year, a year that I have thoroughly enjoyed, there are many thoughts and memories that I will take with me. Thoughts of how we as a club work together to make things happen. Thoughts of how easy a club like ours is to run given the support and cooperation of the membership. Thoughts of the warmth of friendship and camaraderie that you have shown me and that warmth that continues to flourish and grow. We as a club, personify the true meaning of Gyro and continue to be the envy of all clubs. Why? It’s because of the caring, the understanding and the respect we have for one another.
We are challenged with attendance at times when roughly 50% of our membership go south for a varying periods during the winter months. Our attendance however was generally in the 70% plus range of those that remained. When the snowbirds returned we were still in this 70% range. It was especially gratifying to see the # of tanned snowbirds attend the Presidents Annual Xmas Party and attendance was 77% of the total members. To attend is great. To participate is greater. As a club we do both. You are to be congratulated.
We are an aging club. I know we’re aging cause the other day my wife said “Let’s go upstairs and have sex” to which I replied “pick one, I can’t do both”
As a club, we have many things to be Thankful for. The health of our club has withstood some serious tests during the course of the year. As we age, we all have a few aches and pains…..health challenges of varying sorts. These aches and pains pale however to those who have had knee or hip replacements or to those who are waiting to have a replacement done, to those who have undergone heart bypass surgery, to those who have had stents put in, to those who have undergone surgery for cancer and then subsequent radiation or chemo therapy treatment. Despite the degree of the medical condition, these members have maintained an extremely positive upbeat attitude knowing that they have the support of their Gyro and Gyrette family. For this we can all be truly thankful.
This year we brought our web site on line. This was a project Doug Porter and Jim Copeland undertook. They both spent considerable time on the task assigned them while snow birding in Phoenix. Thru their efforts, we got the site up and running. Please join acknowledging and thanking both Doug and Jim for accomplishing something that we are proud of and can make use of far into the future. Please, please, go to the web site…….look at it and at what it contains….use it for yours and our enjoyment by entering posts directly, thru face book or twitter. We must use it or risk losing it. It’s all up to us now. They’ve done their job, let’s do ours.

The support that I received during my term from the executive and the membership was tremendous and appreciated. They made my job easy. As first term directors, Gord Stewart and Art Merrick were assigned the task of event scheduling. With the help of second year directors Bill Carter and Lloyd Wilson they put together our events schedule for the year. They contacted the membership, securing on to chairmen for each event. They then filled in with support staff for the event. Every Gyro worked on at least one event this year. There were some very positive changes made to the programs and to the venues and we have Gord, Art, Lloyd and Bill to Thank for that. Let us Thank as well all the on to chairmen and to our membership for their support.
I would like to acknowledge the following for their contributions to a successful year. First to our award winning bulletin editor Scott Brisbin, who works tirelessly to keep us informed and entertained, next to our secretary, John Williams who reminds me of Radar from the TV series Mash. He was always one step ahead of me and whenever I called and asked a question his response was always “it’s done”. John is very detail oriented and knows his job well………. and then of course there is our tireless, devoted and dedicated Treasurer Eric Braun who with his honesty and in depth accounting principles could have made a better man of Bernie Madoff. Thank you gentlemen.
The job of the Vice President is to follow up on the scheduled events, to work with the on to chairman and the venue confirming attendance, etc. Ray Davis spent 5 months in Palm Springs, basking in 32 degree temperatures while those who stayed home to keep the home fires burning tried to stay warm in minus 32 degree temperatures with winds gusting out of the NNW 36 kph bringing the temperature to the -43 to -46 degree temps. When we spoke he’d ask the question “So what’s the weather like up there”. What the heck do you think it is, it’s Edmonton, it’s winter, and it’s cold. Distance meant nothing to Ray. Without fail everything assigned to Ray was done like clockwork which confirms our theory that you can be a snowbird, carry out your duties and be an effective member of the executive. Well done and Thanks Ray.

I can’t tell you enough about what this next person has meant to me during my year as President. We first worked together as cochairmen on the District VIII Convention in 2000, became strong team members and in the process became good friends. His knowledge of Gyro, policy and procedure, his ability to listen and mentor has made me a better person. Living and bleeding Gyro has been a good part of his life. I am appreciative and grateful for being in his company. Thank you Don Greig for always being there for me. You are a good person and a good friend.
For the second year in a row Marge and I did not go south, but rather endured the long, cold, cruel and at times miserable winter weather. This gave me an opportunity to concentrate on my duties as Club Prez. As always, I had fun working alongside my wife. Marge did a lot of the leg work for the Presidents Christmas event and supported me in everything I did. Marge was always there to listen and would only offer some advice or direction when I stopped to take a breath. 10 minutes later I would get to speak again. Marge, you are as wonderful as you are beautiful. Thanks Marge for your love and support. “You’re the Best”!
Earlier Al Bleiken gave a toast to our ladies, our significant others, our Gyrettes. Let me say that having the Gyrettes at our mixed functions, guess who’s coming to nibble, the post auction activities, or at a chance meeting is like a breath of fresh air. Thank you for your support and for always being there for us. We are so lucky to have you.

As I conclude, I would like to leave you with this word to ponder. The word is T H I N K
T…………………..IS IT TRUE?
H…………………..IS IT HELPFUL?
I……………………IS IT INSPIRING?
N………………….IS IT NECESSARY?
K………………….IS IT KIND
When we find it necessary to make comment ensure that it is helpful, inspiring, kind and above all truthful. If it is truthful but is not helpful, is uninspiring, or is unkind then it is in all likelihood unnecessary to comment.
Let us be mindful that Gyro is a Men’s Social Organization predicated on the basis of:
“FUN, BROTHERHOOD & FRIENDSHIP”.
SHERWOOD PARK GYRO SHARES ALL OF THESE QUALITIES.
TO ALL GYROS AND GYRETTES……..I SAY THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR LOVE AND SUPPORT
ENJOY YOUR SUMMER………………….SAFE TRAVELS

Lawrence Zalasky, Immediate Past Preasiden