JOE DUSEK - Honorary Member &
SECRETARY/TREASURER EMERITUSJOE DUSEK - Honorary Member &
SECRETARY/TREASURER EMERITUS
Our good friend and Rotarian, Joe Dusek, retired after 41 years of service to the Denison Rotary Club as Secretary Treasurer. Joe is a true legend of our club and was honored in April 2000 by becoming only the third Denison Rotarian that has the status of being a Honorary Member. The following information was used at the April 2000 Rotary Banquet in honoring Joe.
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The year was 1953.
The Denison Rotary Club was 37 years old and meeting at the Denison Hotel.
The President that year was Ben Munson,
III. Harold Schmitzer, who was Secretary Treasurer, sponsored for membership Joe
D. Dusek. It was at this time that
the Rotary Foundation was begun on a national level.
The year was 1956 and I was the President of Rotary. Joe Dusek nwas now a 3rd year Rotarian. Harold Schmitzer was Denison City Manager. Harold moved away from Denison and I was in need of help. I asked my good friend Joe to help me out and take the Secretary/Treasurer's position on a temporary basis and as far as I’m concerned he's still on a temporary basis today. In 1956 The Denison Rotary Club donated $300.00 to help start the Denison Goodwill Industry. A local Sea Scout unit was started with five sailboats, purchased by Rotary. It wasn't long after Joe's term of office began that Rotary Foundation national participation reached 100%. Joe made sure that our Rotary International Dues and all the reports were made on time!
The
years were 1957 to 1963. While being a husband and Dad to his four
children, Joe owned an operated a sporting goods store on Main Street.
Joe was a good example of the Rotary motto: Service Above Self. I am
sure that he received much enjoyment as the Denison Rotary Club continued its
scholarship program for Denson High School students. It was also during
this time an emergency bus was equipped and donated to the city of Denison for
rescue work on Lake Texoma.
The
years were 1965 to 1975. During his tenure as Secretary / Treasurer Joe
has attended 5 Rotary International Conventions and served as District Secretary
under 3 District Governors. Joe has been a Boy Scout leader for 35 years
and helped his 3 sons receive the rank of Eagle Scout and the God and Country
award from his church. In 1968, with Joe's leadership The Denison Rotary
Club furnished the patches for the Boy Scout Camporee. In 1970 he was
awarded the Silver Beaver which is the highest award for a volunteer Scouter in
the Texoma Valley Council.
In 1976
Joe thought he would take a break as he moved up the ladder of Rotary to serve
as Club President. James Furlong became Secretary/ Treasurer but halfway
through the term James Furlong resigned. Never sounding defeat, Joe took
up the mantle of President, Secretary and treasurer. During this busy term
of office, the Denison Rotary Club instituted a Civic Award to be given to a
citizen of Denison for outstanding community service. The first recipient
was Ralph Porter. Later, Joe
himself received this outstanding honor.
The years
were 1986-1990. $17,000 was pledge and paid by the Denison Rotary Club to
the Rotary International Polio Plus Project. Under Joe's watchful
eye, the Club was also able to make and complete a major financial pledge of
$12,000.00 to the Texoma Medical Center expansion program. This
pledge was near and dear to Joe as he still serves as one of the members of the
Heart Mender’s group.
The years were 1990 through today. Several major fundraising projects have been successfully completed. These include 4 golf tournaments, 5 peanut sales, sponsoring 3 Carson/Barnes circuses, and most recently the raffle of a 2000 Dodge Ram truck. These events alone brought nearly $50,000 to the Denison Rotary Club. All of this money has been recycled back through the club and distributed to over 100 different organizations and charities in the Texoma area.
From 1956 until today you can see that large amounts of money and numerous hours of careful scrutiny to detail have carefully and attentively passed through Joe Dusek's hands. Joe has always been around or so it seems. Perhaps we've taken him for granted. Got a job that you don't want? Let Joe do it. Have a question about where the money was spent? Ask Joe, he knows. Ask Joe anything about our Club’s history and he as the answer instantly. I would be willing to bet there isn't anything Joe doesn't know about Rotary.
Joe, The Board of Directors for the Denison Rotary Club unanimously agreed to change your Rotary classification from Past Service to Honorary. This will make you only the 3rd Honorary member of our club, joining Dr. A.R. Meadors and Thelma Braun as the other honorary members. Also the Board of Directors has conveyed upon you the very special title of Secretary/Treasurer Emeritus. Joe we thank you for your steadfast dedication to Rotary. You will forever hold a special place in our hearts.