Celebrating the 2024-25 Rotary year
Click the image above to watch a special video with highlights celebrating the 2024-25 Rotary year.
2024-25 was a phenomenal year of service and impact, as the Rotary Club of Birmingham (RCB) celebrated its 112th year dedicated to "Service Above Self." During the June 11th meeting, President Bruce Rogers expressed appreciation to all those who supported the club this year.
President Rogers began RCB’s 112th year with a renewed emphasis on fellowship, leading meetings with humor, personal anecdotes, and a relaxed nature that put everyone at ease. He welcomed a new Executive Director and new Office Manager with unwavering support.
President Rogers thanked the members of the RCB Board of Directors for outstanding leadership during the year, including Treasurer Charlie Pitts, Secretary Camille Spratling, Sergeant-at-Arms Dawn Sharff, Chairperson Gordon Martin, President-Elect Jeff Stone, and at-large members Mac Beale, Molly Clinton, Nancy Goedecke, Cindy Martin, Henry Panion & Nick Willis.
VP of Club Service David Killion recruited invocators, greeters and Boiling n’ Bragging representatives, and led new member orientations. Kevin Garrison, Bolaji Kukoyi & Jen Dent planned fantastic 1913 Society social events at Sidewalk Film Center, Cahaba Brewing, pickleball at Wald Park, and the Bottega Wine Dinner. Rotarians Helen Combs & Cal Dodson organized an incredible Rotary Trail Party.
VP of Communications Val Holman continued the club’s commitment to engaging members and promoting RCB’s mission.
VP of Community Service Tanya Shunnara planned engaging service opportunities including cards for PreK teachers, events at Lakeshore Foundation and Rotary Trail, Salvation Army collection, Rotary Reads and Better Basics Reads. RCB continued its Holiday Boarding Home project under the leadership of Alison Grizzle and Libba Vaughan.
VP of International Service Mike Saag continued support for RCB’s international cervical cancer elimination work, leading a delegation to visit Guatemala. RCB hosted an Operation Wipeout Summit and the program continued to expand under the leadership of Isabel Scarinci, who was highlighted in a Rotary magazine feature story and honored with the Rotary District 6860 Service Award. Additionally, RCB made a donation in honor of each featured speaker to support the club’s cervical cancer elimination efforts.
VP of New Generations Niki Harris enhanced Rotaract Club of Birmingham connections through the Professional Partners program and led selection of five students to attend RYLA.
VP of Programs Kennon Walthall coordinated an incredible schedule of speakers, including experts in athletics, politics, law, medicine, economic development, government, business & the arts, as well as a festive offsite holiday meeting at Red Mountain Theatre Co.
VP of Vocational Service Selena Rodgers Dickerson oversaw a professional clothing drive, induction ceremony and mock interviews benefiting CAMP and Birmingham Promise students.
President Rogers thanked Lee Weathers for five years of service as Chair of the RCB Foundation. He also thank the members of the RCB Foundation Board of Directors as well as every club member who supports the foundation. The Foundation continued to make a significant impact in Birmingham and around the world through support of Pre-K education, disaster relief, international and domestic health projects, the support of Rotary Trail, and a record 9 scholarships awarded to Birmingham City Schools students, thanks to the Scholarship Committee and its Chair, Roman Gary.
Additionally, District Governor David Allgood visited to induct Past Presidents Harry B. Wheelock, John E. Shelby, Frank E. Spain, Roy D. Hickman and Dr. Leslie S. Wright into the Founder’s Class of the District 6860 Hall of Fame.
Several Rotarians represented the club at the 2025 Rotary International Convention in Calgary, Canada, where RCB continued its tradition of hosting a reception with Rotary leaders from around the world. Rotarian Isabel Scarinci served as a featured presenter, inspiring conference-goers with the personal journey that led her to launch Operation Wipe Out.
President Rogers recognized the dedicated Southern Food Service and Harbert Center teams who work to make weekly meetings run smoothly. And he thanked RCB staff members Executive Director Lora Blalock, Director of Membership & Communications June Clark, and Office Manager Tyler Buck for their dedication managing the club’s operations.
He also acknowledged all members of the club for their dedication to Rotary and its mission, highlighting 28 new members who joined the club over the course of the year.
He also remembered and honored the club members who passed away this year: Max Austin, Judy Crittenden, Bryan Helm, Ron Kuehn, George McMillan, Jim McVoy, Josh Reidinger, Jack Trigg and Dick Womack.