Getting to know club president Curtis Zeigler
By Kyle LoJacono
Curtis Zeigler first learned about Rotary International in 1984 while in Sri Lanka. At the time he was working on a water project funded by the United States Agency for International Development.
Zeigler’s interesting introduction to the service organization led to 21 years as part of the Upper Arlington Rotary Club in Ohio before moving to Land O’ Lakes in 2006 and joining the respective club.
Zeigler will officially be the Land O’ Lakes Rotary Club president at the group’s meeting July 12. He has served as the organization’s membership committee chair the last two years.
The Laker and the Lutz News recently talked with Zeigler about becoming the club’s president and what he plans to do with the group during the next year.
Q: Why did you want to join a Rotary Club?
A: I joined Rotary because I wanted to be a part of something bigger. As an opportunity to give back to the communities in which I lived.
Q: Randy Gailit was the club’s president last year. Tell me about what you saw from his term?
A: Randy has developed one of the best newsletters in the district. He has agreed to continue his giving by accepting the leadership of the public relations committee and maintaining our newsletter as well as our vibrant Web site, www.rotarylol.com.
Q: During the last year, the eight Rotary clubs in central and east Pasco have come together to form the Eastside 8 to work together to help the communities. What is it like to be a part of the group?
A: Being a part of the Eastside 8 group of Rotary clubs gives us an opportunity to reach out to larger needs of our community since we are one of the newer and smaller clubs in Pasco County. Being small is the good news and bad news. Small impact, but small enough to be intimate with the opportunity for all members to grow their leadership skills.
Q: What are your plans for the next year as president?
A: Next year I will emphasize our programs. The speakers at our weekly meetings are going to be frequently controversial, which is good as long as they maintain the first of Rotary’s “Four Way Test.” Is it the truth? I hope our speakers will attract visiting Rotarians, guests and potential members to our Monday lunches at Rapscallion’s. For example, on July 26 we will hear why we should adopt the Redistricting Amendment, while on August 16 Representative Will Weatherford will present his “truth” on the subject.
Q: How can people join the Land O’ Lakes club?
A: Any business owner or professional leader in the community who wants to serve can become a Rotarian. But remember, you must be asked to join and this is not just another networking group. You must have a little time, money and most of all a desire to help serve and give back.
Those interested in learning more about the Rotary Club of Land O’ Lakes can attend one of the group’s meetings at 12:15 p.m. each Monday at Rapscallion’s, 4422 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. Janice Klein will be the speaker at the July 12 meeting after returning from India where she helped immunize children against polio.
Other Eastside 8 Rotary clubs’ new presidents
Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel: John Negley
Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel Sunrise: Don Snyder
Rotary Club of Zephyrhills Daybreak: Lea McKenney
Noon Rotary Club of Zephyrhills: Mike Waters
Rotary Club of Dade City Sunrise: Andrea Mason
Rotary Club of Dade City: Cliff Martin
Rotary Club of San Antonio: Suzanne Ritter
