by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
Thanking the members of the Rotary Club of Jacksonville for “giving me the opportunity to be your 96th president,” Carl Cannon began his term in office by introducing the club’s 2008-09 officers and committee chairs and vice chairs. By the time each person was recognized, almost half the members at Monday’s meeting were standing, which prompted Cannon to comment, “We have a very large and involved club.”
He pointed out what a rich history the Downtown Rotary Club has and how one of his goals for the coming year is for the club to embrace the work being done by Rotary International to eradicate polio. Cannon, the former Florida Times-Union publisher, reminded the members of the $100 million donation from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Gates’ challenge to Rotary to match that amount for the world-wide effort.
Then an antique telephone was carried into the room and delivered with the message, “Call for Carl Cannon.” When the club’s new president picked up the handset, the voice of Rotary International’s founder, the voice of the late Paul Harris filled the room.
“Harris” recounted much of his life story as it applied to the founding of the organization in general and the Rotary Club of Jacksonville in particular. When the subject of membership came up, Cannon told “Harris” the club today has nearly 300 members, the same number as 30 years ago.
“We’re one of the largest clubs in Rotary, but we haven’t grown very much,” he said.
After he hung up the phone, Cannon turned to the members and made clear what one of his goals is for the next year.
“Rotary can only grow and thrive through your personal effort,” he said. “My challenge to you is for Mondays to belong to Downtown Rotary. Be here and bring at least one new member into our club this year. I also want each of you to work on a service project you haven’t done before.
“We can grow to 450 members and we should. We are walking in the footsteps of Paul Harris so let’s use this year to fulfill his dream.”
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