President Farewell Speech

Gary Tucker
Chapter President 1999-2000

1999-2000 has been a great AMBUCS year for the Danville club. We have accomplished most of what we set out to do. We successfully completed summer camp, our Christmas parties and the First Citizen's Banquet. Scholarships were given to therapy students. AmTrykes were given away. The DHS Advocates were supported, as was Project Plan A Trip at DHS. We participated in Meals on Wheels, the HALO Painting Blitz and the Habitat Blitz Build.

We had successful fundraisers - The $15,000 Raffle and the Home and Business Expo. We had great club socials. We had interesting (and profitable) Big Hat programs, as well as great weekly programs. Our orientations were first class - thanks to Bill Garrison. We raised our dues to meet the actual expenses incurred in running the club.

We attended the national and regional conventions. At the national convention, the Advocates were recognized as the number one teen AMBUC club in America. Bob Richard was recognized as the Project Manager of the Year. We won awards at the Regional Fall Convention in Peoria.

We expanded our community involvement by co-sponsoring the Summer Sounds Concert series, beginning this Friday. We celebrated our 75th Anniversary. We were voted the number one service club in Danville. We increased our membership. And, we began raising funds and planning for the AMBUCS Playground for Everyone.

All of these things, and more, WE accomplished. This has been an easy year for me because of all of the support WE have given one another.

One of the rules I have lived by over my 30 years as an educator is to always take my job very seriously, but never take myself seriously. I believe AMBUCS follow that rule. We do take our job of working "shoulders together and creating independence for people with disabilities, especially children" quite seriously.

Yet we are able to poke fun at ourselves and others, enjoy our moments together and well, just be AMBUCS. This is a great organization. But in reality, people make up organizations. And the people of this organization are first class all the way. Thank you for making this year one of the best of my life.

Thank you for being AMBUCS.