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Unite For Good
DGE Steve Is Ready To Go!

My wife, Ashley, has served as DGE Steve's chief hazing officer as her brother is a West Point grad and Steve went to the Naval Academy. As a fun way to give Steve some advice as he prepares to lead our district in July, I had Ashley help me with some props in her Go Army, Beat Navy t-shirt. The Naval Academy mascot is a goat. Just like a goat, he will have to eat just about anything as he visits clubs next year and occasionally you will have to butt heads to get the job done. But his primary role is to clear the path so our clubs can grow more & do more.

I gave him a cocktail glass, as at some point only a glass of his favorite beverage and a break will relax the pressures and pace of serving as governor. I then gave him a hand grenade, and instructed him, that like a good Marine, sometimes you just need to blow things up and start over.

Finally, I have him a coffee mug with the Naval Academy phrase, "Don't Give Up The Ship." This has double meaning. On one hand, Rotary leadership is designed to Give Up The Ship, as come July 1 I will turn over the district to Steve to steer us into the next Rotary year. But I reminded him that while he is at the helm, don’t give up the ship to those whispering in his ear about how to do it or the way we’ve always done it. He gets to choose the path forward. I wish Steve and his wife, Anna, along with all the district & club leadership the best of luck leading the way next year.

Posted by Gordon Owens
May 1, 2025

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