President’s Induction Meal - 27/06/2013

Our President for 2013/14 John Bishop was inducted at a ceremony at the Royal Automobile Club along with Epsom Rotary's first female president Carol Caiger on 27th June.

John Bishop (centre) gives a speech as John Goddard (left) and Carol Caiger look on.

Epsom Rotaractors Anthony, Ellie, Helena and Caro attended the President's Induction with John. 

 

After opening drinks and a satisfying three course meal, the festivities began. There were many speeches  and here were some of the highlights:

John Goddard's opening speech was extremely poignant. He noted that in a society that has become increasingly materialist and aggressive, it was still important to maintain important personal values (i.e. kindness, thinking of others). John felt that the Rotary organisation still upheld these values throughout all the social and technological changes over the years. He was the host for the evening and gave a warm welcome to the incoming president, Carol Caiger.

Tony Axelrod, the outgoing president spoke with pride about his year as president. He mentioned the Epsom Fun Day, the new club members and Epsom Rotary's expansion into social media as significant landmarks in his tenure. He also thanked his fellow Rotarians for their help and support.

Carol Caiger was inducted as President of Epsom Rotary and was presented with the president's chain. She announced the date and site of the upcoming Rotary ball (7th September 2013 at the RAC). She added that it would have the theme of 'The Great Gatsby.' She noted (as did Tony) that the club was going through some significant changes, including her tenure as the first female president as an example.

Finally, John Bishop was also presented with his presidents chain and made an impromptu speech. He praised John and Carol. He noted that he had form in speaking in public with Rotary, as he had once participated in the Rotary Youth Speaks programme.

 

"My school was up against Abedour. They were talking about the innocence of youth and government policy. My topic? 'Aliens are among us'. That's why I'm not running the country!" He shrugged, which brought the house down.

Overall, it was a historic event, which kicked off the presidential year of Epsom Rotary's first ever female president and heralded the second reign of John Bishop as Epsom Rotaract President!