Melinda’s toast and roast.
Sandra was the first to use the letters of Melinda’s name to toast our Magnificent, Endearing, Loved, Inclusive, Nice, Devoted and Admirable outgoing president. Sandra recommended Melinda use her free time to update her computer skills.
Dalbir pointed out that Bill was the first Jewish president. Kal the biggest. Melinda was the first to drive a vintage car and own a butcher shop. She is also one of two white women presidents who will share houses with former spouses. Melinda is easy to like and made it welcoming to come back after covid.
Peter thought Melinda should get an award for putting up with the naughty table. Kindness prevailed throughout the year and we learned to be kinder from her attitude. Melinda’s granddaughters would be proud of her.
Larry says Melinda chose kindness as her theme and is amazing. She has done so much for him personally. When he went through tough times Melinda called him every time and delivered goodies to him.
Judy see Meanderings for her poem.
Kal said Melinda had done a fantastic job and is saving all his &%#@ for Bob. He also wants the flower back for his wives birthday.
Debbie M said that Melinda was in the top 100 names for baby girls, in whatever decade that was before the turn of the century. Melinda means sweet honey and person so it translates to sweet person. Marvelous Enthusiastic Laughter Inspiring Nurturing Delightful Angelic (there were a couple of guffaws at Angelic.)
Margaret said Melinda was all about me in the sense that she was ready to do and help with everything. Melinda loves family, her grandchildren and Hawaii. Melinda is all about kindness. (which may have stood for the “a” in Melinda but I did not get it all – sorry Marg.)
John Newman said when he was first dating Melinda he was stuck in a logging camp because of the weather. He was explaining this to her as the reason he could not get out to see her. Melinda did not believe him and he called her Kimberly, whom he had been dating. Melinda hung up on him. To make up to her John sent her a dozen yellow roses. Hence she got a yellow rose from each of us today.
Peachy can say that Melinda is an amazing person who did a wonderful job. Peachy thanked Melinda for her support and being their anytime for Peachy when she needed something.
Danny flew back to Canada to honor a great leader who has a kind heart and is a special person. He brought her a gift of his photo book volume 2 with beautiful photos in it.
Elena had prepared something for to day but forgot it but said Melinda was a good leader and thanked John for being patient with her.
Susan’s inspirational quote applied to Melinda. “Do your little bit of good where you are. It is the little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.” Melinda does the little things and is always ready to help and to serve. She brought Melinda some Lysol wipes as a reminder of meeting in parking lots during covid. Apparently Melinda was even wiping down money at the shop.
Garth can’t believe all the comments about kindness because Melinda has perfected the evil eye. He was so glad she did not "butcher" the job and that no one had made this comment before him. One of the best woman presidents and he is (I did not get the rest of this sentence and maybe it is just as well.)
Gordon learned from Melinda that we are a classy club because she is/was a classy president. He had the rose in his mouth and was going to sing something from carmen but, so sad, time did not allow for it. Although the first note was wonderful.
🕺🏼
Blair pointed out correctly that the whole club misunderstood the purpose of a roast. However, as a result of peer pressure he said some nice things about Melinda too, that she was very helpful, and it was a pleasure to be in the club with Melinda as president.
Micheal met Melinda when rotary first brought the gala to the banquet hall. He was told everything was structured and professional. After he met Melinda he thought "what are you talking about”. He can relate as they are both short. Melinda was his mentor and she called many times to make sure he was happy. Plus they are both meat eaters.
I searched all of the past issues of the bulletin and could find only one reference where Melinda talked about her granddaughters. I think it was when a third one was born.
Chris M. showed a great video celebrating the events and highlights of Melinda’s wonderful year as president.
Joyce remembers just coming out of covid when Melinda took over the meetings and made everyone feel safe and welcome. It is the best part of the day with the laughter and fellowship. She is very grateful for the culture of kindness.
Bobby had a lunch with Melinda and ordered a meal and 3 cups of coffee. Bobby was buzzing and Melinda was calm. Through out the year she has been very calm and let everybody do their jobs. Bobby did mention in the beginning that Rotary is professional and organized. He and Michael realized that this is family and they are very appreciative of all the things she did for the club.
Debbie S. said that for Melinda everybody matters. The two of them after our meetings, would often be stopped in traffic going back through the tunnel and either Melinda or she would call to discuss Rotary. It was always a nice conversation. Debbie said this quote typifies Melinda “In a world where you can be anything be kind”. She is dreading being Bob’s secretary. (JK). 😘
Pat said Melinda did a fabulous job as president and particularly because they are both the same height. She presented Melinda with a bag full of mementos. Including a lei and napkins from Hawaii and a turtle for the garden.
Bob found out that Melinda loves Hawaii when he had to take over meetings at the beginning of January. But he also said;
When Mel rang the bell, all went well.
Mel is kind and this was not to be undermined as weak, or she would let you know by the end of the week.
Mel led and supported everyone, doing less by Mel could not be reported by anyone.
( oonga boonga blunder here) (Ed. I just cut and paste what he sent me!)
Mel you are the best. I hope I can do half as good as you and that would make me blessed.
Thank you for being an amazing President and for helping me learn kind.
Melinda is an emotional person and cannot keep everything in. She is eternally grateful to this club. Debbie and Sandra have been her anchors. Bobby and Pat have been very supportive and helpful. John (husband that is) is happy alarm is not going off so early. She said thanks for the flowers and she is looking forward to not getting all the emails. Her mouse died and did not know how to fix it so she feed it to the cat.
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