1996-97 was the year the Rotary Club of Salem had its first serving woman President, Ellen Wyatt. Rotary International's theme was "Build the Future with Action and Vision." Rotary Club of Salem exhibited this theme in its projects and programs throughout the year. Under community service, the five Salem-area Rotary clubs agreed to come together to build a lasting expression of Rotary's motto, "Service above Self", in the form of a playground in Salem's new Riverfront Park. The Rotary Playground project cost is $125,000, of which our club's share was $60,000. The funds were raised over a 3 year period. Our club organized a June Auction/Raffle to help finance the first year's portion of that goal.