2000-2001

Tom Krob became Las Vegas Rotary’s 77th president for the 2000-2001 year beginning a new century for Rotary.  The Club’s move to Lawry’s the Prime Rib Restaurant from the Desert Inn allowed the club to reduce dues and sparked a new interest in Rotary giving.  The club donated over $58,000 to Community Service Projects for the year to support 18 projects under the leadership of grants chair Nikki Sobkowski and our Club Service Above Self Recipient, Steve Linder, Hands on Projects included two Habitat for Humanity houses and Operation Safe Streets for Opportunity Village.  The club adopted Walter Bracken Elementary School, giving over $4,000 in mini grants to its teachers and arranging for trips for the students to UNLV Basketball and Baseball outings with mentoring from our club members.  Ned Phillips arranged for our club to participate in a new district leadership program for teens, TLC (Teen Leadership Camp).

Over $31,000 was given to The Rotary Foundation including two matching grant projects coordinated by Kathy Dalvey Bonar:  1) Hydra Form Blocks in Kenya and 2) a much needed hearse for a village in India.  Our club was awarded a Rotary International Presidential Citation and received the District Governors Award for Contributions to Rotary International.  Ted Wiens was recognized as an Outstanding District Rotarian.

Carl Brunson’s excellent programming allowed for an increase in membership and visitors to our club.  Our annual Kiwanis/Rotary Thanksgiving Food Drive Program again netted a winner for Lt. Col. Jim Sullivan’s Salvation Army under the exceptional can counting skills of Bert Blevins.  Susan Ziobro replaced Kathy Frakes as the club’s Executive Secretary and kept Tom and the club current with our international and community activities, especially through Rotary International’s move to communications through the Internet.  The club’s spirit of fellowship was evidenced by the great participation in Jim Hunt’s Tailgate party, Steve Casey’s Ski Trip, Jim Tucker’s Putting Tournament, and Russ Swain’s Softball Challenge.  The year ended with a move of the demotion party from the Silk Purse Ranch to Kazem Fathie’s home for a traditional debunking of Tom in Kazem’s swimming pool.