GREENSBURG – The Rotary Club of Greensburg #3437 in District #6580 held its end-of-year leadership
changeover during the regular weekly meeting on Monday, June 28, 2021. This concludes the successful
year of President Tami Wenning leading the club. Wenning is the Executive Director of the Decatur
County Community Foundation.
“Someday, I’ll be reminiscing about the good old days and my year as your Rotary President will be part
of that story,” Wenning wrote in a keepsake letter presented to club members. “I’ll talk about the year
of the Pandemic and how our club didn’t fold and didn’t falter, but instead took lemons and made
lemonade.”
Wenning pointed out several highlights of the 2020-21 year, including conducting meetings via Zoom
video as the COVID-19 Virus put an abrupt halt to in-person gatherings. The accomplishments included
Rotarians wearing masks in the heat of the day while toting and providing mulch to finish a project at
the Decatur County Family YMCA; a successful Poinsettia sale, an online Christmas Auction which raised
its highest total ever; the Rotary Centennial Park project; the production of a 100 th anniversary book;
providing a District Grant to Meals on Wheels; securing sponsorship funds for the annual Euchre
Tournament benefitting Decatur County Special Olympics without being able to hold the tournament
due to the Pandemic; and successful efforts in Cheer Fund bell ringing at Christmas time.
One of the highlights during the annual changeover is the presentation of the coveted Jack Hurst Award.
The award is presented to a selected Rotarian who has stepped up with extra effort during the year and
is named after longtime Greensburg Rotarian Jack Hurst. The award was presented to Daryl Tressler for
his extra effort in leading the Club in the creation of the Centennial Park sign at the corner of Lincoln and
Main Streets.
Wenning also presented a special gift to longtime Club Secretary Barb Jakad who has led the club in this
important role for many years. Jakad is now passing the Secretary baton to Past President Lora Williams.
Wenning turned the gavel over to 2021-2022 President Jenni Hanna, also of the Decatur County
Community Foundation. Hanna presented Wenning with the traditional President’s gavel to a rousing
thank you applause by the members. Wenning was also presented with the Avenue of Service Award
from Rotary International.
President Hanna set forth her goals for the club during her tenure and made sure local Rotarians were
aware that the meeting location is moving to the Decatur County REMC Community Room beginning
July 12 at 12 p.m.
The new president had the honor of introducing the speaker for the day, the 2002 Rotary Youth
Exchange student, Pratama Wangsit Bayuartha (Bayu), who was in Greensburg for a visit. Bayu is from
Indonesia and is employed in the energy sector as a Drilling Solution Engineer. His family also attended
the meeting, his wife Mia and son Ishe.
Bayu told the club he thoroughly enjoyed his year he spent living in Greensburg, first with then Rotarian
Karin Harter and her family and with Rotarian Greg Rust and his family. “Stepping out of your comfort
zone is how you grow,” he said. “The year I spent in Greensburg helped me grow. It was a once in a
lifetime opportunity.
“The hospitality here makes it feel like I never left. What I miss most about Greensburg is the people of
the community.”
Bayu played second base for the Greensburg Pirates Varsity Baseball team while in Greensburg and has
been successful in coaching baseball teams in Indonesia.
The Club closed the meeting with its traditional 4-Way test from Rotary International which states:
Of the things we think, say, or do:
First – Is it the truth?
Second – Is it fair to all concerned?
Third – Will it building goodwill and better friendship?
Fourth – Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
For information about joining the Rotary Club of Greensburg contact any Rotarian or visit the website at
http://www.greensburg-rotary.org/
Article and pictures from Jeff Emsweller