Newly elected Clarkston Rotary president Joel DeLong hopes the group does not miss a beat and is also able to grow during his tenure.
The life-long Clarkston resident, save for a few years during elementary school, has been a member of the Clarkston Rotary for 10 years.
‘My kids started to enter college and I had some extra time. My friend Barry Hranach took me to a meeting to see what the Rotary was all about and that led to me joining.?
Despite living most of his life in Clarkston, DeLong partly joined the group for the opportunity to meet people. An employee of Ford Motor Company, the Clarkston High School graduate always worked out of town which prevented him from making the normal business connections.
‘The Rotary is definitely a great way to network with Clarkston residents. I was given the opportunity to meet some people I otherwise would not have been able to meet,? DeLong said.
The Clarkston Rotary has numerous yearly service events and DeLong is looking to continue them during his term as president. The Rotarian was sworn in as president on July 1 with his tenure scheduled to end on June 30, 2004.
Among the service projects for the local community that the Rotarians will continue include:
? The ‘Shoes for Kids? program which uses funds collected from the annual Goodfellow newspaper sales to buy shoes for needy children in Clarkston. Last year they were able to raise $14,000 and service 330 kids.
‘That is the program that is most close to my heart. It has really become a family event for my family with my wife and daughters participating. It is just a fun thing to do,? DeLong said.
? The hosting of the Labor Day parade in downtown Clarkston. The Rotary has run the parade for 63 years.
? Displaying Christmas decorations in downtown Clarkston. While the Rotarians now require the assistance of the Independence Township Department of Public Works to reach some of the higher light fixtures recently installed on Main Street, the decorations still come out of the Rotary budget.
? The awarding of scholarships to students from Clarkston and Renaissance High Schools.
‘One of the Clarkston goals is to have our club work to increase participation with the Renaissance High School, through the ‘Challenge Scholarship? program, as well as exploring opportunities for mentoring or business night activities. We also want to increase interest in the Clarkston High School Interact Club,? DeLong said.
? The providing of a picnic for the students attending the SCAMP program in Clarkston. This year they had a picnic with more than 300 people. The festivities included food, face painting and a moonwalk.
? Supporting and participating in a senior citizen activity. The group plans a dinner with the Independence Township Senior Center and is also making a financial donation earmarked for their kitchen.
The local club is also part of Rotary International which participates in service projects all around the world. There are Rotary organizations in 165 countries. One of the big goals of Rotary International, which Clarkston is participating in, is to rid the entire world of polio. At this point, the world is 97 percent rid of polio as it is in less than five countries.
The Clarkston group was also involved in giving a financial contribution to help build a hospital in Guatemala.
‘A number of our members have been all around the world participating in programs. We have people who have gone everywhere from Nigeria to Peru,? DeLong said. ‘It is really a great opportunity to travel all around the world.?
One of DeLong’s goals this year is to get the word out and increase membership in the group.
‘Our membership goal is to strive to identify, recruit and add new members, with a net gain of six by June 30, 2004. Membership recruiting and retention are vital to the health and well being of our club, as well as to fulfilling our community commitments.?
While there were approximately 55 Clarkston Rotary members when DeLong joined a decade ago, they are currently down to 33 members.
‘I believe a lot of people think they are too busy to commit to the organization but there are so many advantages to being active in community service,? DeLong said. ‘It is an opportunity to network and meet other people who believe in making our local community and the entire world a better place. That is what Rotary really stands for.?
DeLong, a graduate of Ferris State University, will celebrate his 30-year wedding anniversary to wife Mindy in August. The couple has two daughters, Sarah, 17, and Becky, 26.
‘I was born in this community and enjoyed it so much I wanted to raise my family here,? DeLong said. ‘I love the small town atmosphere you get here. I really enjoy shopping locally on Main Street and getting to know all the people in our community.?
DeLong had chaired many Rotary activities and wanted to take that to the next level by becoming president.
‘I wanted to give back to the club what it has given me,? DeLong said.
The Clarkston Rotary, which was established in June, 1940, meets at the Clarkston Cafe between 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. every Monday night. Those interested in joining the Clarkston Rotary can show up Monday nights or call DeLong for more information at (248) 625-9741.