Eddie VanStine President, Bath Rotary Club / December 8., 2025
Good morning, friends, Rotarians, and community members,
As we reach this midpoint in the Rotary year, I stand before you filled with gratitude, pride, and awe. One year ago today, I was elected President-Elect of the Bath Rotary Club. A few years before that, I had the honor of being officially welcomed into this incredible organization. But my journey with Rotary began long before any title.
I remember being a junior in high school, attending the Rotary Youth Leadership Academy at RIT. My Uncle Bill would “pull me out of school” to attend meetings with him—but let’s be honest, it was mostly on holidays or days when school wasn’t in session! Those early experiences gave me a first glimpse of what Rotary is all about: service, leadership, and community. And as an Eagle Scout, I learned a lesson that has guided me ever since: true leadership is about Service Above Self.
Being President of the Bath Rotary Club is one of the greatest honors of my life. But let me be very clear: I did not, and could not, do this alone. Every accomplishment we’ve achieved is the result of the dedication, passion, and generosity of Rotarians, community members, volunteers, and partners. Together, we are making an impact that reaches far beyond what any one of us could do alone.
This year, even though we are only halfway through, we have accomplished extraordinary things:
- New Peace Poles now stand in Pulteney and in the Village of Bath—symbols of unity, hope, and the global mission of Rotary.
- Through the Rotary Foundation, we helped the Bath-Haverling School District secure a new freezer for the RAM Mart, supporting students and families in need.
- Liberty Street blooms once again, thanks to the flowers we plant and maintain every year, keeping our community beautiful and welcoming.
- Scholarships continue to flow to our youth, with thousands of dollars invested in the next generation of leaders, helping them reach higher education and dream bigger than ever.
- Our fundraisers, food drives, and service projects have delivered thousands of dollars directly back into the community, touching lives, building hope, and lifting spirits.
- We organized a fundraiser for Jamaica during a catastrophic hurricane, showing that Rotary’s reach extends compassion and action far beyond our borders.
- We continue to lead globally, raising awareness and funds to eradicate polio, welcoming international students and giving them homes while they study, and supporting humanitarian projects across the world.
- Locally, we support small businesses, foster community engagement, and create connections that strengthen the social and economic fabric of our region.
And that is not all. This year, we’ve also:
- Strengthened our strategic plan, building on past plans to create a roadmap that is stronger, smarter, and more focused than ever before.
- Welcomed record numbers of speakers and guests, sparking curiosity, collaboration, and meaningful dialogue.
- Generated growing interest within the community about what Rotary is, what we stand for, and the impact we create every single day.
Friends, being President of a Rotary Club is not about a title or recognition. It is about opportunity. Opportunity to serve. Opportunity to lead. Opportunity to make the world around you a better place. It is an honor because it allows me to witness the dedication, generosity, and courage of people who show up not for applause, but for action. That is Rotary at its core—local action, global impact, and a mission that transcends us all.
As we celebrate this holiday season, I extend my deepest gratitude to every Rotarian, every supporter, every community member. You are the heartbeat of all we accomplish.
And to those who have ever wondered what Rotary is really about, I invite you to experience it for yourself. We meet every Thursday at noon at the Dorman Library in Bath, New York. We gather over lunch, we share ideas, we talk about real projects, and we connect with community leaders in ways that are genuine, meaningful, and inspiring. There’s no stigma, no politics—just people coming together to make a difference.
This year is only halfway through, yet we have achieved so much. And the best is yet to come. Together, we will continue to serve, to lead, and to inspire. Together, we will continue to embody the spirit of Rotary: Service Above Self.
From my Rotary family to yours:
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and may the New Year bring hope, strength, and purpose to all.
Yours in Service Above Self,
Eddie VanStine
President, Bath Rotary Club
