Kiwanis Brea, California

Installation of the 2009-2010
Officers and Director

President Elect Jose Salazar gets a firm
handshake from Lt. Gov George Hallack

By Dennis O'Hern

The Kiwanis Club of Brea transfer of office ritual took place for the 59th time when members, families, friends, and distinguished guests gathered at the El Cholo Restaurant in La Habra. Among the dignitaries were Brea City Councilmember Roy Moore and his wife, Deanna; Pastor Dave Rader and his wife, Stacie; current Division 30 Lt. Governor George Hallak; and previous Division 30 Lt. Governor Shirley McCracken.

Among the members and friends present were Lynda Arnold, Henry Cardenas, Isabell Choi and fiancé Patrick; Nancy & Chuck Clough; Jacque & David Coley; Crystal & Dan Cook; Sam Graciano; Stacey & Tom Green; Christine & Dean Hall; Patricia & Danny Hernandez; Cynthia Holmberg from the Kiwanis Club of La Habra Club; Catherine Houston; Don Hull; Mimi & Chuck Lee,  Kristin Long;  Laurie & Mike O’Brien; Dennis O’Hern; Joseph Salazar with his wife’s best friend Lindsey Clark; Scott Shaffer; Annetta Scott;  and Shelley & Dave Worker with their friends Renee & Mark Lewis.

PERFECT ATTENDANCE

Because participation in club activities is paramount to the character of any club, Kiwanis has a developed a process to identify those members who make the effort to be involved. The successful members are rewarded with a Perfect Attendance Tab. Attendance is defined as being present for 80% of each weekly meeting or taking part in one of the thirteen types of make-up meetings.

There is a handful of members who manage to do this year in and year out. For 24 years, Dean Hall has earned his Perfect Attendance Tab.  Tom Green has achieved Perfect Attendance for 18 years. Far behind these two club elders are Dave Worker and Dennis O’Hern who have three years of Perfect Attendance each, and Mike O’Brien who finished his second year of Perfect Attendance. Tom gave each of these members the appropriately numbered tab.

To acknowledge the various good works done throughout the year, Mike O’Brien began the procession of presentations by giving the Distinguished Service Award to David Coley. Next, he recognized the lengthy Kiwanis service of three members by awarding the Legion of Honor to:  Todd Beckley for 35 years as a Kiwanian; Don Hull for 30 years as a Kiwanian; and Dean Hall for 25 years as a Kiwanian.

Citing a very close working relationship throughout his presidential tenure, Mike gave the President’s Award to Dennis O’Hern.

Chuck Lee, as the current holder of the title, was then called to the microphone to announce Danny Hernandez as the winner of the Kiwanian of the Year Award.

It was then Mike’s turn to receive. At the request of Dean Hall, Councilmember Roy Moore came forward to read and present a beautifully scripted Commendation from the Brea City Council, signed by Mayor John Beauman, to Mike for his year of stellar leadership. Next, Mike opened a colorfully wrapped box from Dean with the comprehensive works of Steely Dan, one of Mike’s favorite groups.

With many words of appreciation, Immediate Past Lt. Governor Shirley McCracken relieved the Officers and Directors of the expired administrative year of their responsibilities.

Current Lt. Governor George Hallak asked for each incoming Officer, in turn, to stand with him before the assembly as he charged all with their respective duties. He then issued a similar mandate to the new Directors to complete the establishment of the Board for the 2009-2010 administrative year.

As a rare and special addendum to the Installation Dinner, the club took advantage of Lt. Governor Hallak and asked him to induct our newest member, Chuck Clough. With proper pomp, George read the ceremonial words and then various members recited the six Objects of Kiwanis. As a final touch, Chuck’s wife Nancy proudly affixed the Kiwanis pin to his lapel to the applause of the crowd. As sponsor for Chuck, Dennis O’Hern received a handsome gold Kiwanis Key from the Lt. Governor.

With all of the hard work done for the evening, President Dave Worker was given the floor to wrap things up. Among the highlights of his comments was the announcement that he will sponsor Mark Lewis as the second new member of the new year. It is fairly clear that Dave is ready to apply his considerable energy and excitement to the organization to build upon the fifty-nine years of the Club’s evolution and will achieve a level of success appropriate for our extraordinary club composed of so many extraordinary members!
 

Updated:  October 01, 2011