2026 Demotion Dinner Celebration
It is a Rotary tradition that on the last Monday of June our club conducts a Demotion Ceremony to transition the President to the new rank of Past President. The gavel is officially handed over, always extending the holding end, to the successor and new President, who by now should be looking for their Bell!
This evening provides special time to acknowledge the accomplishments of Leadership greatness and notably honor the individual accomplishment of members. The surprise of the evening is the unveiling of the President-Elect!
Over the years there have been many great themes, awesome costumes, and many delicious dinners. Friendships and spirits are combined to complete this fabulous evening of stories and laughter that fill the room. By now, the bell is already gallivanting about!
space
Locks and Chains and
Wrapped to the President's Wrist.
Added Security with Motion Device.
Zip Tie Ready...
Into the Backpack the Bell went.
2024-2025 Demotion Celebration for President Emily Pappalardo Term 2:
In a security measure never seen before, President-Elect Tim Cook (Term 2), receives the Bell from Emily, handle first of course, and immediately has security guards protecting it for the entire evening.
We returned for a second year to the beautiful estate for our Demotion event. The weather cooperated again and it was incredible. Ah, the cornhole was all set up. The ground were spectacular, the food delicious, and the bar flowed. Our club does know how to celebrate!
2023-2024 Demotion Celebration for President, James Fowler:
James presents the Bell to President-Elect, Emily Pappalardo, Term 2.
On a beautiful June evening, our club's Demotion Dinner was enjoyed outdoors, with wine, spirits, and cornhole on the grounds of a local event facility.
As you can see, we captured a photo on the far left of President-Elect 2025-2026 Tim Cook, in a hot-minute, Past President James, and by default of the Demotion, new President 2024-2025, Emily Pappalardo (Term 2).
As an accountant, James counted down the minutes and kept the spreadsheet close by when he presented Emily with her Bell for the year and entrusted her with its safekeeping and the promise of ringing in another year of service with no more kids. Yes, it was handle first.
We are all once again grateful for our club and ready to embark into the new year for our kids and community. One word can describe the evening perfectly - Check!
space
2022-2023 Demotion Celebration for Co-Presidents, Laura and Tom Uslan
Poof - The Bell is Presented, Handle First, to President-Elect, James Fowler
Tradition changed a bit and the club hosted a Demotion Luncheon. But, James rang that Bell with its Gavel perfectly.
The decorations displayed the individual interests of our Co-Presidents - together in the room. Flamingos everywhere and flanked by Orange and Black Giants colors. Our local and famous Ruddy Ground Dove sighting and the sports enthusiast. Co-President Tom hosted the afternoon on his own and did a great bird nerdy job. Co-President Laura joined us on Zoom and added all her personality from afar while tending to family needs.
Lunch was delicious, Father Sarducci's roast was hilarious, but we would like to know why Tom took off his eagle wings and mask so early during the event. I think it was to catch a flight to San Diego and watch the Giants play the Padres!
As you can see, James proudly accepted the Bell and Gavel from Tom and used the previously worn handcuffs to secure the Bell. We are all once again grateful for our club and ready to embark into the new year for our kids and community. One word can describe the afternoon perfectly - Check!
space
2021-2022 Demotion Celebration for Jan LeRoy
Handle first, Jan LeRoy Unlocks the Bell and Gavel, Presenting it to First-Ever, Co-Presidents-Elect, Laura and Tom Uslan.
Keep Calm....Trust your Realtor. Sales can go up and down, but the Bell stays forever. Jan was last seen with the Bell she protected all term.
After the 'magic show' Demotion ceremony where even the professional magician couldn't make the Bell disappear, Jan LeRoy passed it and the gavel (yes, handle first) to the new incoming Co-Presidents, Tom and Laura Uslan. As they accepted the gavel....club history was made as the mighty duo are the first ever, club Co-Presidents and rang the Bell.
Then something funny happened. There must be someone in the club providing lessons on how a president should accept the Bell. After John tied the Bell to his wrist with a chain and lock in 2019 and Rob attached a security alarm in 2020, our new club Co-Presidents accepted the Bell and Gavel, put it directly into a backpack, securing it with a zip tie, and hoisted it onto Laura's back. Does this mean, Challenge On to all the Bell thieves!
Some of the most beautiful people where photographed at this event. Coming Soon will be their pictures.
space
2019-2020 One Year Later in 2021 - Demotion Celebration for John Stutz:
Utilizing a Time Machine - Nobody Calls Me Chicken!
The Gavel is Accepted from John Stutz to Current President Robert Globus
2020-2021 Demotion Celebration for Rob Globus:
With One Motion, Rob is our Past President and Jan LeRoy is President.
What a year!
BACK TO THE FUTURE, a Time-Traveling Tribute to Our Presidents.
At the Demotion Dinner of the Rotary Club of Walnut Grove, we bent time itself to honor not one, but two outstanding presidents - John Stutz and Rob Globus!
Since 2020 kept John from his well-deserved sendoff, we fired up the flux capacitor and brought him “back” for the celebration. With a little help from Doc, the heart of Charlie Brown, and the spirit of Buffalo Bill, we united past and present in one unforgettable moment. Celebrating that gavel right of passage from John to Rob, even a year later.
Thank you to all our presidents - you truly make a difference in our community, yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
GREAT SCOTT! It's a good feeling to be celebrate the passing of the Gavel and Bell at the Demotion Ceremony. In a Back to the Future ceremony, Rob becomes the Past President with one motion of handing the gavel and bell to our new 2021-2022 President Jan LeRoy.
Both Rob and John were roasted for their Presidential years. It appears some things are back to normal.
SADLY, what we didn’t know then was that this would be our final Demotion Dinner at Giusti’s Place. Just 2½ months later, on September 9, 2021, the Walnut Grove community lost a treasured landmark to a devastating fire. For over 100 years and four generations, this beloved “hole in the wall” was where stories were shared, friendships were forged, and so many celebrations—like ours—came to life. Its loss left a silence that words can hardly fill.
To the Morias Family, thank you for opening your doors and your hearts to generations of us. Your legacy lives on in every memory made within those walls. Rebuild - we will come.
space
2019-2020: Demotion Ceremony for John Stutz (Cancelled):
The Gavel is Accepted from John Stutz to President-Elect Robert Globus
The year is 2020. An unprecedented year! Our Demotion Ceremony was cancelled due to cv19. An informal Demotion Ceremony was conducted in the Station 96 Service Drive with masked members - 6ft apart. I've heard the Bell is obeying the stay-at-home order! Congratulations to Rob and his vision for the next year!
space
2018-2019 Demotion Ceremony for Larry Gorham:
A Tour that Lasted 8,765.85 hours, Comes to Shore as President Larry Hands Over the Gavel to President-Elect John Stutz
After a tour full of laughs and leadership, Captain Larry brings the castaways together for a fun evening evening and safely becomes the Past President. His little buddy, John Stutz, has accepted the gavel and poof, the Bell was gone!
Upon a ransom payment, John spent his remainder of the year with the Bell chained to his belt.
Little did we know this was to be our final tour at Giusti's. (See information in our Memorial section).
space
2017-2018 Demotion Ceremony for Emily Pappalardo (Term 1)
Emily Presents the Gavel and Hands it Over to the President-Elect Larry Gorham
When President Emily took a hold of the gavel in 2017, little did anyone know she would be the first in Rotary International history to have a gorgeous baby boy during her Presidency term. Does this make Jack the youngest birth-right Rotarian?
In a ceremony fit for Rotary Royalty, soon to be Past-President, Emily Pappalardo is out of this world with her new baby. Somehow the gavel, handle first, was presented to President-Elect Larry Gorham.
space
2016-2017 Demotion Ceremony for Tim Cook (Term 1)
The Gavel is Ceremoniously Handed Off from Tim to President-Elect Emily Pappalardo (Term 1)
Boys Scout, Eagle Scout, and all around nice guy Tim Cook, becomes President in 2016 knowing all the ribbing his fellow Rotarians will be in good fun. He managed to keep control and by the end he of his 2017 Presidency, Tim was canoeing down river.