THE Rotary Club of Saipan on Friday night installed its new officers for the 2022-2023 Rotary year, with Wendell Posadas taking the helm as president.
The club’s new vice president is Jessy Loomis; treasurer, Charles Cepeda; club service director, Mary Grace Bautista; community service director, Dr. Nelson Krum; vocational service director, David Baker; international service director, Ivan Ilmov; new generations director, Gregory Pat Borja; sergeant-at-arms, Mario Valentino; and foundation director, Wayne Gillespie.
Associate Justice Perry Inos administered the oath of office to the new club officers and directors in the Saipan World Resort’s Royal Taga Hall.
Also installed but not present in the ceremony was Irene Holl, the new president-elect.
Outgoing president, Ivan Ilmov, honored his fellow 2021-2022 officers: Posadas who was then the president-elect; Holl, the vice president; Loomis, the secretary; Glen Perez, the treasurer; Cepeda, the club service director; Joann Aquino, the community service director; Baker the vocational service director; Sonya Dancoe, the international service director; Borja, the new generations director; Das Krishnan, the foundation director; and Brian Clayton, the sergeant-at-arms.
Ilmov said the members believe that the new officers will exhibit “truly the spirit of Rotary in their everyday work.” He noted that the Rotary Club of Saipan now has 54 members and continues to grow.
Imagine
The 2022-2023 Rotary year’s theme is “Imagine Rotary.”
Posadas said Rotary International President Jennifer Jones “wants members to imagine the possibilities in the change they can make to transform the world.”
“Imagine a large group of like-minded people all sharing meals to thank the wonderful outgoing president Ivan Ilmov for an incredible year he put in for our community. There is no greater gift than putting your time, you really have led our club to new heights and been such an inspiration to all of us, and the previous directors for the excellent job that they have done over the past year,” Posadas said.
He noted that it has been a difficult year which also made the outgoing officers’ achievements more significant. “I can’t wait to see what we can all do together this coming year with such a great theme, ‘Imagine Rotary!’ ” he said, adding that it was also good to see the young leaders, the Rotaract and the Interact officers and members, reaching out to the community.
Posadas said he was deeply honored and humbled to be given the opportunity to serve as president for Rotary year 2022-2023. He acknowledged his special guest that night, his wife Heidi who always supported his journey in Rotary; his daughter, Dhale Larsen who just arrived from Seattle in the morning on Friday to attend his installation; his brethren in Emon Masonic Lodge 179, Worshipful Master Marvin Deocares; the governor’s chief of staff, Wil Castro; his students at Northern Marianas Technical Institute; and Lions Club’s Lolly Velasco.
Posadas also thanked all the Rotarians for their commitment, dedication, cooperation, and support, for all the blessings, opportunities and challenges they face in the community and around the world.
“I look forward to an exciting year of service with all of you,” he said as he reminded everyone of their first meeting on July 5.
“I am proud to be a Rotarian, and with the help and support of my board members and fellow club members, I will do my best to face the challenge. Our club has been built on a strong leadership foundation, and I am fortunate to have a membership that is truly committed to the Rotary ideal, that is service above self, and going an extra mile in building the club, carrying worthwhile projects that we undertake for the benefit of our community,” he said.
From left, Associate Justice Perry Inos; newly elected Rotary Club of Saipan Sergeant-at-Arms Mario Valentino; Rotarian of the Year Joann Aquino; club Vice President Jessy Loomis; Community Service Director Dr. Nelson Krum; new President Wendell Posadas; International Service Director Ivan Ilmov; new Generations Director Gregory Pat Borja; Vocational Service Director David Baker; Club Service Director Mary Grace Bautista; Foundation Director Wayne Gillespie; and Treasurer Charles Cepeda after they were sworn in by Justice Inos in Saipan World Resort’s Royal Taga Hall on Friday.
Rotary Club of Saipan 2022-2023 President Wendell Posada delivers his remarks following his installation in the Saipan World Resort’s Royal Taga Hall on Friday
