President 2024-2025 Shawn Jacobaccio being sworn in by Past President Gerard Schriffen
Special thank you message from President Shawn:
"I would like to wish a resounding thank you to everyone who made our wonderful Board Installation dinner such a success and further thank all the participants that made our event so joyous.
I am thankful for the new friends we made and for those to come.
It is with enthusiasm that I welcome our new Rotary year, hoping it will be filled with thoughtful service to our community and continued fellowship."
I am thankful for the new friends we made and for those to come.
It is with enthusiasm that I welcome our new Rotary year, hoping it will be filled with thoughtful service to our community and continued fellowship."
read more for Presidential address...
On July 12, 2024 a sizable crowd of Rotarians, Rotarian guests and friend of Rotary gathered in the Library of the Union League Club of NYC to celebrate the installation of the President 2024-2025 Shawn Jacobaccio and his incoming board.
Several award recipients were recognized for the relentless efforts and support in promoting Rotary guiding principles.
Vukasin Nikolic installed as a new member
Gabriel Cocinescu installed as a new member
Malika Abrous recognized for her leadership in International breakfasts at the UN
Larry Parks for 54 years of Rotary Service
Ted Perednia "Service Above Self" Award for unselfish promotion and support of Rotary Club of New York and securing valuable funds for our NY Rotary Foundation
Helen Reisler "Life Time Achievement" Award for having an impressive Rotary past as Past President, Trustee, Past District Governor, First Woman President and efforts during 9/11
Shawn Jacobaccio presented his vision to the gathered crowd, based on steadfastness and focus on Rotary's role to promote our city's issues and create synergies abroad:
"Rotary Year 2024-2025 Presidency
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is with great honor and privilege that I stand before you today as your incoming President.
I’d like to take this opportunity to reflect on the illustrious history of our club. For one hundred
and fifteen years, the Rotary Club of New York has been a beacon of good will, embodying the
core principles of service above self. From humble beginnings to becoming one of the most
esteemed service organizations in the world, our journey has been marked by dedication,
compassion, and unwavering commitment to improving lives in our local community and
beyond. As the Host Club of America, certainly beyond. With such a great legacy, I find that
I’m always learning something new about our club and I look forward to finding out more from
all of you.
As we celebrate our past achievements, it is also imperative that we turn our gaze towards the
future. The world around us is constantly evolving, presenting new challenges and
opportunities for us to make a difference. In this rapidly changing landscape, it is essential that
we adapt and innovate, staying true to our values while embracing new ideas and approaches
to service and we don’t have to look far away to start!
Looking ahead, our club must remain steadfast in its mission to serve New Yorkers. We must
continue to identify pressing issues facing our community and leverage our collective
resources and expertise to address them effectively. Whether it's tackling homelessness,
promoting education and a greener world or supporting healthcare initiatives, our club has the
power to enact meaningful change that reverberates far beyond our city limits but again, we
can look to home, as New York needs us.
As we strive to uphold our legacy of service, we must also focus on cultivating new
membership. Our club's strength lies in its diversity of perspectives, talents, and experiences.
By actively recruiting and welcoming individuals from all walks of life, we can enrich our
organization and broaden our impact. Let us reach out to the next generation of leaders,
inspiring them to join us in our noble cause and carry forward the torch of Rotary service for
generations to come. Let us also celebrate our fellowship, for we are together right now, and
that’s worth highlighting. We have come together in the name of Rotary and should remember
why; please look around and see, you make this club great and I’m looking forward to seeing
you all much more!
In charting the course for the future, let us not forget the timeless principles that have guided
us thus far: integrity, fellowship, and a commitment to making a difference. As members of the
Rotary Club of New York, we have a solemn duty to leave a positive imprint on the world and
leave it better than we found it. And I ask for your help this upcoming year to do so.
In conclusion, let us embark on this journey into the future with optimism, determination, and a
deep sense of purpose. Together, there is no challenge too great, no obstacle too daunting. As
we continue to serve, let us remember the words of Rotary's founder, Paul Harris, who said,
"Whatever Rotary may mean to us, to the world it will be known by the results it achieves." Let
us go forth and achieve greatness, knowing that our actions today will shape the world of
tomorrow.
Thank you."
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is with great honor and privilege that I stand before you today as your incoming President.
I’d like to take this opportunity to reflect on the illustrious history of our club. For one hundred
and fifteen years, the Rotary Club of New York has been a beacon of good will, embodying the
core principles of service above self. From humble beginnings to becoming one of the most
esteemed service organizations in the world, our journey has been marked by dedication,
compassion, and unwavering commitment to improving lives in our local community and
beyond. As the Host Club of America, certainly beyond. With such a great legacy, I find that
I’m always learning something new about our club and I look forward to finding out more from
all of you.
As we celebrate our past achievements, it is also imperative that we turn our gaze towards the
future. The world around us is constantly evolving, presenting new challenges and
opportunities for us to make a difference. In this rapidly changing landscape, it is essential that
we adapt and innovate, staying true to our values while embracing new ideas and approaches
to service and we don’t have to look far away to start!
Looking ahead, our club must remain steadfast in its mission to serve New Yorkers. We must
continue to identify pressing issues facing our community and leverage our collective
resources and expertise to address them effectively. Whether it's tackling homelessness,
promoting education and a greener world or supporting healthcare initiatives, our club has the
power to enact meaningful change that reverberates far beyond our city limits but again, we
can look to home, as New York needs us.
As we strive to uphold our legacy of service, we must also focus on cultivating new
membership. Our club's strength lies in its diversity of perspectives, talents, and experiences.
By actively recruiting and welcoming individuals from all walks of life, we can enrich our
organization and broaden our impact. Let us reach out to the next generation of leaders,
inspiring them to join us in our noble cause and carry forward the torch of Rotary service for
generations to come. Let us also celebrate our fellowship, for we are together right now, and
that’s worth highlighting. We have come together in the name of Rotary and should remember
why; please look around and see, you make this club great and I’m looking forward to seeing
you all much more!
In charting the course for the future, let us not forget the timeless principles that have guided
us thus far: integrity, fellowship, and a commitment to making a difference. As members of the
Rotary Club of New York, we have a solemn duty to leave a positive imprint on the world and
leave it better than we found it. And I ask for your help this upcoming year to do so.
In conclusion, let us embark on this journey into the future with optimism, determination, and a
deep sense of purpose. Together, there is no challenge too great, no obstacle too daunting. As
we continue to serve, let us remember the words of Rotary's founder, Paul Harris, who said,
"Whatever Rotary may mean to us, to the world it will be known by the results it achieves." Let
us go forth and achieve greatness, knowing that our actions today will shape the world of
tomorrow.
Thank you."
Past President Ted Perednia then presented a substantial donation to our New York Rotary Foundation.
