- December 24, 2024
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The the new president of the Rotary Club of Port Orange-South Daytona has a straightforward goal in mind—make each activity they participate in the best it can be.
President Nick DeSantis explained this Rotary Club has evolved throughout the years to become what he considers one of the most "vibrant, active and community-oriented clubs in Central Florida." The organization currently has 66 members and several applicants in the works.
"Each of our members personally know each other. When a member is asked to help on a project we always are happy to do so," DeSantis wrote in an email. "We have a lot of fun at our meetings, fellowships and fundraisers. You definitely don’t want to miss out on any gathering because it’s always an opportunity to laugh and get to know each other, poke a little fun and in many cases evolve into business relationships as well."
DeSantis was inducted into his position, along with other officers and board members, on Friday, June 23 for the 2017-2018 term. He had originally been invited to the Rotary Club as a guest by the vice president of a former company he had worked for.
DeSantis noted he had originally been intrigued about Rotary and began to learn more about what the club does, adding he loved the integrity of the organization and its worldwide reach. According to DeSantis, individuals cannot join Rotary in the same way they would the Chamber of Commerce or a networking group. Instead, a person has to be sponsored and, through an application and communication process, the club and applicant determine if it would be mutually beneficial.
For DeSantis, it was through reaching out and expressing his interest to a friend, who was a Rotarian, that he was able to be sponsored.
"If this is done properly, once a person becomes a Rotarian they remain a Rotarian for life," DeSantis wrote.
What would he change now that he is in the position of president? He wouldn't change a thing.
DeSantis explained the role of the president is just to keep the organization moving in the right direction, something he feels can only happen with all the club members' participation. However, there are still plans in the works.
They are currently working on a community event in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce and the City of Port Orange and South Daytona, according to DeSantis. The event will be a community showcase for the new Riverwalk project on the Halifax River. The showcase is in the planning stages but it now has a reserved date of May 5, 2018.
DiSantis explained they want to have an event that engages the community to utilize the new Riverfront Park.
"We are planning a lot of fun things to do and the Rotary proceeds, as always, will be invested in our community through our charities such as Student Scholar Athlete awards, Community Partnership for Children and more," DeSantis wrote.
DeSantis added they plan to fulfill their goals by doing their part in the community and contributing alongside the other 33,000-plus Rotary Clubs in more 200 countries worldwide.
The Port Orange-South Daytona Rotary Club is on of 14 others between Volusia and Flagler Counties. Additionally, there are also Rotaract and Interact clubs that are made up of students and operate in a similar way to Rotary Clubs.
"We each have different local and international charities we support," DeSantis wrote. "We are needed to continue to provide the volunteers and financial resources to the areas of focus that is core to Rotary."
According to DeSantis, the areas they are focusing on are water and sanitation; education and literacy; maternal and child health; disease prevention and treatment; economic and community development; peace and conflict prevention/resolution. As for the location where all this is happening, DeSantis sees this region of Florida as an ideal setting for the Rotary Club.
"This area is one of the best places to reside in the State of Florida not only for its beauty but the quality of life we have," DeSantis wrote. "Great schools, business, outdoor activities, youth sports and places of worship. We have it all and more. There are events in our community already that are great."
The Rotary Club of Port Orange-South Daytona meets every Tuesday at 12:15 p.m. at the Riverside Pavilion, 3431 S. Ridgewood Ave., Port Orange, Florida. To attend meetings, call 386-852-4155 for more information.
