USA Council Annual Meeting

A report from the . . .

Serra International Convention, Chicago, Ill.

Over 400 Serrans attended the USA Council Annual Meeting and Luncheon at the Serra International Convention in Chicago, Ill., on Saturday, July 5, 2003. The luncheon was not only a time to conduct official business, but also a time for Serrans from districts all over the U.S.A. to gather and socialize.

Opened by a prayer and warm, encouraging remarks by USA Council Episcopal Adviser Bishop Keven Britt, Coadjutor of Grand Rapids, Mich., the first order of business for the meeting was the treasurer’s report, delivered by Larry Bouffard, Serra Club of Spring-Area 1960, Texas. Having lost their traditional $50,000 membership grant from the Serra International Foundation, and closing for the second year in a row at a deficit of over $20,000, the council was forced to raise dues by $5 a year. This action was passed by the clubs in May.

After outgoing USAC president William E. Ramsey, Serra Club of Omaha, reviewed the accomplishments of his term and bid a fond farewell to office (see p. 13), the new USAC Board (see p. 14) and district governors were installed. Then incoming USAC President James DeNike, Serra Club of Northwest Houston, Texas, greeted the attendees and received the president’s pin from Ramsey.

DeNike emphasized in his comments that most U.S. clubs were already on the right track with vocations activities -- but that in order to make their mission truly fruitful, clubs should be sure that every single member actively participates in the work for vocations. DeNike also alerted the audience to the fact that for the first time in the history of the Council, USAC ended its fiscal year with less members than it began the year with. He challenged district governors to take all steps necessary to prevent this from happening again (see p. 14).

The “Outstanding USAC Serran Award” was presented to Philadelphia Serran Richard D. Burke, who originated the USA (then USA/Canada) Council website in 1996. A 33-year employee of IBM who now owns his own computer company and is a member of the USAC Communications Committee, Burke’s invaluable contribution to the council brought its ministry into the 21st century.

Incoming Serra International President Alex Duncan, Serra Club of Glasgow, Scotland, joined DeNike for a question-and-answer session at the end of lunch.

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