By Connor Adams Sheets
The Flushing Rotary Club installed its first female Asian-American president last Thursday in a ceremony at the Sheraton LaGuardia East Hotel in downtown Flushing.
The club’s presidents serve one-year terms, and Victoria Tsang — who served as vice president last year — replaces Dan Flori in the top position.
“It is my distinct pleasure to be elected by my friends and fellow Rotarians as Flushing Rotary’s president,” she told gathered members after accepting the president’s pin. “In my opinion, being in the Flushing Rotary is like being a conductor of an orchestra. I need all my fellow Rotary members to work together to make beautiful music.”
Some of her goals for the coming July 1 through June 30 Rotary year include increasing participation in events, double-booking speakers at events to increase the programs’ impacts, boosting fund-raising and attracting new members.
Frank Macchio, Flushing Rotary member and third vice chairman of Community Board 7, emceed the gala luncheon held in Tsang’s honor, praising her dedication to her community and the Rotary organization.
“Each year or so we elect a new president of the Flushing Rotary Club,” he told the full house gathered to ring in the new top Rotarian in Flushing. “The strength of our club, I like to believe, is our fellowship and our friendship, and we always have a capable leader as our president.”
Flori gave his blessing to his successor, expounding on the pleasures of working with her over the past year.
“We’re going into an exciting new year, and I wish all the best to our new president, Victoria Tsang,” he said before yielding the president’s pin to his replacement.
Then John Tucciarone, past Flushing Rotary president, did the honor of installing Tsang to the prestigious post.
“Veronica is the first Asian-American woman to be president of the Flushing Rotary,” he said. “But when I see Veronica, that’s not the first thing I see. I see a good friend, a dedicated leader and a great Rotarian.”
Tsang said during her acceptance speech that she became interested in the Rotary through her late husband, who was a longtime leader in the Flushing post, and that she joined the group in July 2007.
“I was always intrigued in the camaraderie of the Flushing Rotary Club, and their selfless undertakings on behalf of the community,” she said.
Reach reporter Connor Adams Sheets by e-mail at csheets@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4538.
