Demotion Dinner
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DEMOTION DINNER: 2024 SONNY & CHER PERFORM for PLRC!
Sonny and Cher have not performed
in the San Diego area since 1977. Sonny (formerly known as Dick) and Cher (formerly known as Judy) high-
lighted the 2024 Point Loma Rotary Club's annual Demotion Dinner) by their own rendition of I Got You Babe.
"We Thank You Deb" is thus dedicated to the PLRC's outgoing President, Debra Gookin. She's perch-
ed on the right, enjoying her final gathering as club president.
The above skit and
annual event event took place at the San Diego Yacht Club. This is the venue for the club's weekly meetings.
The Demotion Dinner honored outgoing president (pictured right) for her spectacular year in office-while ringing in the new president Lloyd Weaver. Click here for the video depicting her tenure.
Sonny and Cher have not performedin the San Diego area since 1977. Sonny (formerly known as Dick) and Cher (formerly known as Judy) high-
lighted the 2024 Point Loma Rotary Club's annual Demotion Dinner) by their own rendition of I Got You Babe.
"We Thank You Deb" is thus dedicated to the PLRC's outgoing President, Debra Gookin. She's perch-
ed on the right, enjoying her final gathering as club president. The above skit and
annual event event took place at the San Diego Yacht Club. This is the venue for the club's weekly meetings.The Demotion Dinner honored outgoing president (pictured right) for her spectacular year in office-while ringing in the new president Lloyd Weaver. Click here for the video depicting her tenure.
Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley (Gary Burt, pictured left) entertained club members before and during dinner, 
with his memorable crooning.Margaret, the manager for all three impersonators, cheer- fully welcomed club members to the Commodore's Room for this year's gala.
Past President Tim McCully delivered this inspirational Invocation:
An invocation is a traditional prayer for the support, counsel, or indulgence of an almighty power upon the works of a body of people such as our Rotary Club.
So today, I offer this prayer-let us bow our heads:
God of the Universe, Thank you for the prosperity and safety we enjoy here in our beautiful Point Loma. Thank you for the fellowship and food we will enjoy together tonight. Thank you for our Point Loma Rotary Club’s superb leadership of the past year, and for the promise of continuing dedicated leadership for the challenges of the year ahead. Thank you for giving us, through Rotary, the oppor- tunities to serve our community, our nation, and the world. Help us, as Rotarians, to do good. Help us, as Rotarians, to be honest and ethical in all our dealings. Help us, as Rotarians, to serve others. And help us, as Rotarians and human beings, to faithfully fulfill our obligations as neighbors to our community, our nation, and the world. Amen.
Bill Slomanson delivered the Toast:
Before we lift our glasses, a word about why we are toasting Debra & Lloyd. Rotary has two fam- ous mottoes, which can be traced back to the second Rotary Convention in 1911: “Service Above Self” and “One Profits Most Who Serves Best.” Outgoing President Debra Gookin and Incoming President Lloyd Weaver personify the gist of both mottoes.
When researching best practices, I discovered a website containing 50 Recommendations for Rot- ary Club Presidents. Several of them perfectly describe Debra and Lloyd’s core character. You’ll think of these two individuals, when I mention each of this list's (and their) following traits:
When researching best practices, I discovered a website containing 50 Recommendations for Rot- ary Club Presidents. Several of them perfectly describe Debra and Lloyd’s core character. You’ll think of these two individuals, when I mention each of this list's (and their) following traits:
• Be a leader, more than an administrator. • Maintain a warm and friendly demeanor. • Don't criticize, because you can’t scold people into spirited volunteerism. • Encourage member participation in our service projects. • Be innovative. • Don't let the naysayers hold you back.
Let’s all now lift our glasses─to Debra, for her spectacular year Club President; to Lloyd, for his outstanding work on our previously moribund Youth programs!
Let’s all now lift our glasses─to Debra, for her spectacular year Club President; to Lloyd, for his outstanding work on our previously moribund Youth programs!
In the above bottom row, Donna Wilder was the perfect choice for Rotarian of the Year. Her leader- ship and diligence yielded: (1) a Bylaw revision that meets Rotary, state, and federal requirements; and (2) creation of our new Administrative Procedures document. Lloyd Weaver was installed as Club President for Rotary Year 2024-2025. Lloyd presides, with President-Elect Angie Ware at hand. George Klein was named the club's initial PLRC Rotarian Emeritus.
Dick Thorn presents the 2024-2025 PLRC Board
DEMOTION DINNER: 2023
Soon to be past President Gus Goldau
welcomed
the robust turnout to the 2023 Rob Cenko Demo- tion Dinner. Gus set the stage for the annual skit about our outgoing President. The Uniform Code of Military Justice was created by Congress in 1950.
Soon to be past President Gus Goldau welcomedthe robust turnout to the 2023 Rob Cenko Demo- tion Dinner. Gus set the stage for the annual skit about our outgoing President. The Uniform Code of Military Justice was created by Congress in 1950.
Rather curiously, Gus shared that, if taken as a
prisoner of war, service members are expected to
prisoner of war, service members are expected to
provide only their name, rank, identification number, and date of birth. But one had to wonder why
Gus was providing such details at Rob’s Demotion Dinner?
PLRC has a tradition of encouraging new members to introduce themselves at our meeti
ngs. We affectionately call this event "Who Am I." Gus then recalled when Rob came on board and was give
n the lectern to tell us about himself. Rob alleged- ly gave the shortest presentation in the annals of Rotary history. As Gus stated: “We don't know much more about him than prisoner of war offers to his captors."
Pictured left, Pink Panther (aka Dick Thorn), dressed as the defective detective Inspector Clouseau, began to seek out the elusive Rob's real identity. Was Rob perhaps just a Babe Magnet? Inspector Clou- seau’s sleuthing initially focused on the on-the-surface, deceptively nice guy Rob. But further inspection revealed something far more sinister:
Gus was providing such details at Rob’s Demotion Dinner?
PLRC has a tradition of encouraging new members to introduce themselves at our meeti
ngs. We affectionately call this event "Who Am I." Gus then recalled when Rob came on board and was given the lectern to tell us about himself. Rob alleged- ly gave the shortest presentation in the annals of Rotary history. As Gus stated: “We don't know much more about him than prisoner of war offers to his captors." Pictured left, Pink Panther (aka Dick Thorn), dressed as the defective detective Inspector Clouseau, began to seek out the elusive Rob's real identity. Was Rob perhaps just a Babe Magnet? Inspector Clou- seau’s sleuthing initially focused on the on-the-surface, deceptively nice guy Rob. But further inspection revealed something far more sinister:
With this important revelation behind us, Gus then proceeded to share the real story:
“In all seriousness, Rob has been an outstanding president this past year. He
may not have given us his life story, but he has given us his heart and dedi-
cation. Rob, you've led our club with passion, integrity, and a whole lot of
caffeine, I suspect. Your leadership has inspired us all to reach new heights.
and make a difference in our community.
Rob, I want to express my gratitude to you for your tireless efforts in guiding.
our club. Your commitment to Rotary's mission of service above self has been.
truly remarkable. So, you have shown us that actions speak louder than words.
You tackled every challenge that came our way, from organizing fundraisers to
coordinating community projects.
As we bid farewell to your presidency, we want you to know how much we appre-
ciate your leadership and the positive impact you've had on our club. We are
grateful for your unwavering dedication and the countless hours you've devoted.
to making our community a better place.”
Gus then passed the baton−and presented an 
appreciation
plaque to the now past president Rob Cenko.
our club. Your commitment to Rotary's mission of service above self has been.
truly remarkable. So, you have shown us that actions speak louder than words.
You tackled every challenge that came our way, from organizing fundraisers to
coordinating community projects.
As we bid farewell to your presidency, we want you to know how much we appre-
ciate your leadership and the positive impact you've had on our club. We are
grateful for your unwavering dedication and the countless hours you've devoted.
to making our community a better place.”
Gus then passed the baton−and presented an appreciationplaque to the now past president Rob Cenko.
At this juncture, Gus turned the meeting over to Debra Gookin, PLRC’s incoming President. After being sworn in, Debra closed the Demotion Dinner with a toast:
“In conclusion, as we celebrate Rob's so-called. 'demotion,’ let's remem-
ber that Rotary is not just about titles or positions. It's about the peo-
ple who come together to make a difference. Each and every one of
you contribute to the success of our club. So I'm honored to be a part
of this remarkable community.
Thank you all for joining us today to honor Rob Cenko and his incredible leadership. Let's raise a toast to Rob, to Rotary, and to the future as we
continue to serve others and create a better world together. Cheers!”
ber that Rotary is not just about titles or positions. It's about the peo-
ple who come together to make a difference. Each and every one of
you contribute to the success of our club. So I'm honored to be a part
of this remarkable community.
Thank you all for joining us today to honor Rob Cenko and his incredible leadership. Let's raise a toast to Rob, to Rotary, and to the future as we
continue to serve others and create a better world together. Cheers!”
Note: Thanks to Debra Gookin for her Power Point presentation & Ray Blavet for extracting the above sleuthing pictures for use on this account of a most successful Demotion Dinner!
DEMOTION DINNER: 2022
The 2021-2022 Demotion Dinner was held at the Southwestern Yacht Club −site of many of the PLRC's Friday luncheons in years past. Pictured left are the outgoing club president Gus Goldau, and incoming president Rob Cenko.
The 2021-2022 Demotion Dinner was held at the Southwestern Yacht Club −site of many of the PLRC's Friday luncheons in years past. Pictured left are the outgoing club president Gus Goldau, and incoming president Rob Cenko.They are flanked by Gus and Shan-non Osborn, upon her receiving the Rotarian of the Year Award. The criteria for this award are listed here. Past PLRC award winners are listed here.
The "shadowy" group, and novely-named "PLRC Singers,"
renderedtheir version of the Beverly Hillbillies theme song, with Gus as the satirical object of their classiical pre- sentation. Dick Thorn did an inspiring speech about Gus the man, which was a memorable job of de-scribing Gus. A number of individuals were awarded the highly coveted Golden Thumbs Up Award.
Photos by Margaret Varissimo and Bill S
This caricature was sketched by the previous week's luncheon speak- er−the San Diego Union Tribune's Steve Breen. It was affectionately signed by all club members. It includes one message in Chinese, in honor of Gus's birthplace in Shanghai.
Club members attending the 2022 Demo Dinner were able to savor the beauty of the second-best yacht club in San Diego :-), the nearby South- western Yacht Club.
Entryway picture by David Demangoes.