July 1, 1974 - June 30 1975

President: Archie Rolfs
Vice Pres: Paul Larsen
Secretary: Gary Mertes
Exec. Secretary: Carol Norton
Apple Seed: Al Sauls
District Governor: Lev Craven

Attendance: 88.47%
New Members: 21
Members Lost: 17
Members end of the year: 171

Due to the transfer of President-Elect, Jim Elsey, to the Tri Cities, I never served as Vice President, but ascended directly from the Board of Directors to the Presidency. There was no time to change names at the Rotary International Convention in Minneapolis, so I became "Elzey" as registered. The Rotary International book that lists all the clubs throughout the world shows the Wenatchee Club President was Elzey for the year 1974-75. There was little time to plan to bone ten days; there was little time to give thought to committee assignments, or how to quickly replenish the club treasury which was woefully low; little time to think of potential programs or club direction or how to handle a program each Thursday noon without an opportunity to practice or closely observe.

But all turned out pretty well primarily because Wenatchee No. 815 is made up of about 180 great fellows who were willing to do anything within reason and to overlook my mistakes. The treasury was given a temporary shot-in-the-arm with a dinner-dance at the Thunderbird which netted about $1,700. Bud Truswell and his Ways and Means Committee did the planning and the whole bit. The Rotary attendance was somewhat disappointing, but the non-Rotarian guests assured a successful evening.

One of the milestones of my regime was the club's move from the old drab noon meeting place in the Columbian Hotel to the new Thunderbird. It made a big difference in the attitude of the club. It was the right move.

The club treasury was still in trouble, so a wood cutting project was organized. An old apple orchard on the edge of town was to be removed for a housing project. Rotary could have for free whatever they could cut and haul away. Other individuals were also cutting so there was pressure to get as much cut as possible as soon as possible. The work was hard, the fall weather was hot, but we cleared over $1,600 without mishap, other than a few sore backs.

Meanwhile, our program committee, under the able leadership of Gary Montague, brought us a succession of good programs. Nate Jackson, Director of Human Resources from Governor Evans' cabinet, said 85% of our problems are well under control, and Washington rates fourth in the nation as the best place to live. Bernie Leman, a Fisheries Biologist, brought us up-to-date on the programs and progress of the PUD in furthering the fishery on the Columbia in Chelan County. We also gained a wealth of information on labor relations from Rick Johnson of the PUD, both from the union and management point of view.

Several of our oldest Rotary members, in term of continuous membership in our club, were featured as "second" classification talks. All were most interesting and demonstrated a life of service to their fellow men.

Early in December the annual Rotary Suit Sale was held at the Valley North Mall. The quality of merchandise was excellent and the Mall proved to be a good place for the sale. Rotary netted almost $3,000. Our Christmas collection for the Salvation Army netted $730.00 which was gratefully received by Captain Bill Hunter.

The club voted to increase dues to $66.00 per year to be paid semi-annually.

Since the District Governor for 1974-75 was our own Lev Craven, Wenatchee became the host city for the District Conference. It was well attended and there were many favorable comments about it, especially from our Canadian guests.

There were a number of social events and activities including a bus trip to Seattle to see a Huskies football game, flipping hot cakes for the Boy Scout pancake feed, nine firesides in the homes of members, a luncheon and inspection of facilities of Wenatchee Valley College.

One of the highlights of the year involved a city lot that was given to us, and a small house owned by Wenatchee Valley Clinic slated for demolition but available to us for the taking if removed immediately. The house was moved to the lot location on West Park and set on blocks on the back of the lot. After a partial basement was dug and a foundation laid, the house was moved onto the foundation. Much of the ensuing work of rewiring, paneling, roofing, painting, landscaping and plumbing was done by work parties of Rotarians and some Rotary Anns. Most of this was done in the spring and early summer and house was sold as soon as complete. Profit, you bet! Over $10,000.

Thus endeth a successful year with a new meeting place, several new members, entertaining programs and a full treasury.