The monthly board meeting of Pikes Peak Historical Society Oct. 8 was preceded by a gathering of board members, docents and volunteers to bid farewell to John Rakowski, who submitted his resignation as president and to thank Debbie Rakowski for her role as docent.

The Rakowskis initially joined PPHS in about 2000 and updated their membership to Life Members in 2002.

“I joined because I was interested in learning more about the history of the early settlers of this area,” John Rakowski said. “Later I got more active as a volunteer assisting in care of the mineral collection at the museum.”

In 2009 Rakowski was invited to join the Board of PPHS since he was spending more volunteer time assisting with the care of the mineral collection and other activities of PPHS. When Celinda Kaelin resigned, he was elected by the board to take over as president at the start of 2015.

Last week’s celebration was held to thank the Rakowskis and review accomplishments under John’s leadership, including the payoff of the mortgage on the museum building in December of 2019.

About 30 people, including Board Members, docents, and some spouses came to celebrate and thank the Rakowskis for their years of service and dedication. Everyone crowded into the Research Room featuring a cake and “thank you” sign with signatures. When the Rakowskis arrived, they were greeted with a resounding cheer. Guests scattered throughout the museum for cake and conversation prior to the regularly scheduled board meeting.

“My resignation from president of PPHS was very difficult as the historical society with all the associated activity had become an integral part of my life,” John said. “But with the impending move the resignation was necessary.

“I appreciated the support of the board, docents and members of PPHS while I held that coordinating position as president. The party prior to my last board meeting gave me a confirmation that my efforts were very appreciated. It was thrilling to see the progress we made over the years building upon what the earlier members and boards had accomplished.”

The board meeting commenced, and Scott Adams was unanimously elected as the new PPHS President.

Adams and his wife Pam moved into the area in 2005 and saw the new museum had opened in a building they had remembered being a restaurant and other things.

“I was on the way home from the slash pile, so pretty scuzzy looking, and stopped in to look and ask about it,” Adams said. “Susan Weinzapfel was working and almost called the sheriff.”

Both he and Pam joined as lifetime members and became docents in 2006. In 2007, he joined the board. Adams was elected vice president in 2015.

“John has left such a superb organization and has managed the society so well that he’ll be a tough act to follow,” Adams said. “We all have such a strong desire to get younger people involved. As a previous educator, I am still interested in aggressively pursuing younger volunteers.”

Speaking to the board, Adams said, “We have such a good base of volunteers that make the museum run, and the board fulfills their responsibilities so well. I plan to apply servant leadership principles to stay out of their way and keep the ideas and resources they need coming to help them do what they do as well as, or better than, they do now.”

Rakowski will now serve as member of the Advisory Board and will assist Adams in his new role.

“I know that I am leaving PPHS in good hands with Scott taking over as President,” Rakowski said. “He has wide experience and skills that will come together as a great leader of PPHS moving forward.”