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USA Council Convention Highlights

Any organization is only as strong as the work and dedication of its members. Amid the exhilarating liturgies and thoughtful talks, the USA Council of Serra International took the L.A. convention as an opportunity to show its sincere appreciation and gratitude for the work of its members. From awards to service recognition, the Council celebrates and encourages the fine efforts of U.S. Serrans.

USAC Outstanding Serran of the Year

The Council was pleased to honor Spokane, Wash., Serran Michael E. Doohan with this distinguished award. A member of Serra for 38 years, Doohan has served his club, district, Serra International, USAC/USACC and the Foundation in almost every elected and appointed position, including the International presidency in 1992-1993. He was instrumental in the admission of women into Serra in 1986 and in the formation of the USA/Canada Council in the early ‘90s.

USAC Outstanding Newsletter Competition

This year, judges recognized six district winners and one national winner for the Outstanding Newsletter Competition. The entries are judged on layout and content. The six district winners are as follows:

District 9-W: Omaha, Neb.
District 12-2: Topeka, Kan.
District 13: Lafayette, La.
District 18: Greater Little Rock, Ark.
District 30: Indian River Area, Fla.
District 7-S: Owatonna Area, Minn.

The Serra Club of North-Minneapolis, Minn., scored the highest overall and took the national award. Edited by Serran Norma Swanson, this newsletter also took home the International Outstanding Newsletter Award.

Honor Club and Distinguished Service Awards

For their outstanding effort in the areas of membership, service, communications and leadership development, five clubs reached Honor Club status this year:

Lake Charles, La.
Hartford, Conn.
Tiffin, Ohio
Detroit-Oakland, Mich.
Sioux Falls, S.D.

Evangeline Ordinario of the Lake Charles club and Paul Scholton of the Sioux Falls club received Distinguished Club President awards.

Service Recognition and Member Anniversaries

Starting this year, USAC has launched a program to recognize members on their 10-, 25- and 50-year anniversaries. At the USAC luncheon on June 30, the Council honored anniversary members present with a corresponding anniversary pin. The Council was especially honored to present a pin to Jack Roth, of the Serra Club of Tacoma, Wash. Having served Serra for 59 years, Roth has been a member of this organization longer than anyone else in attendance at the convention. But there’s more to the story: Jack’s father was a Serran, as well as his daughter, Carol. A devotion to vocations runs in this family!

USAC Eastern Caribbean Cruise

Join your fellow Serrans for seven nights of luxury and fellowship aboard Royal Car-ibbean’s Explorer of the Seas! Offered by Cruises Galore and More, $100 of the special Serran per person rates will be donated to the USA Council. For more information, call the USAC office at 888.777.6681.

"Whom Do You Know?" 2001 membership drive

Whom do you know in your neighborhood who should become a Serran? Whom do you know who has a son or daughter with a religious vocation?
USAC would like to continue the success of its last two membership drives this year with the "Whom Do You Know?" campaign. For each new member sponsored by a Serran during the period of July 1 to Oct. 31, 2001, the sponsor will earn a chance to win a trip for two on the Serra USAC seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruise on Dec. 1-8, 2001. All entries must be received at the Chicago office by Oct. 31, 2001.

Siempre Adelante hymn

Many Serrans who attended the convention are wondering how they can get their hands on a recording of the beautiful "Siempre Adelante," or "Song to Padre Serra." Written by Jane Rice, the hymn was performed at the Saturday, June 30,_liturgy in Los Angeles. Serrans who wish to purchase the music may do so by contacting:

Hank Burton
3027 W. Elder Ave.
Santa Ana, CA 92704

The price is $10.00 for sheet music (all four verses included) and a CD of Rice’s solo performance of the song. Audio cassettes are not yet available. Payment is by check or money order, and orders will be shipped in two to three weeks.

The Father Junipero Serra 250th Anniversary Association, Inc., is working now to make the convention group performance of the hymn available to the public. The Serran will deliver the details as soon as they are available.

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