Residential Properties Ltd. is excited to announce that The Rotary Club of Providence has selected RPL Sales Associate Bill Applegate as its new President for the 2025-2026 term! Having served as the club’s Vice President, Bill will now be responsible for guiding and motivating the club, setting direction, empowering others, and ensuring the club thrives both internally and in the community. Founded in 1911, the Rotary Club of Providence is a fellowship and service organization of people dedicated to the Rotary motto of: Service Above Self. It is one of over 35,000 clubs in more than 150 countries with over 1.2 million members worldwide.
Residential Properties has had a long, proud association with the Providence Rotary Club. Bill’s spouse, RPL Broker Associate Holly Applegate, is a past President of the chapter. Former longtime Residential Properties corporate colleague Liz Messier was named 2025 club President Elect and in 2024 was named Rotarian of the Year, awarded the Paul Harris Award, and installed as First Vice President.
The 115th Installation of Officers and Directors was held on July 1 at The Squantum Association in Riverside. This program of events included the Installation of the President, Presentation of the Charter and Pin, Passing the Gavel with words from Immediate Past President Pete Brock, Reflections on the New President from Bill’s daughter Brecken Applegate Schneider, and Presentation of Gifts and Remarks from Bill Applegate.
“In my speech, I wanted to talk about how I’ve come to see that real change happens when many people make small, intentional efforts in the same direction,” Applegate noted. “When I was on vacation in Alaska recently, I encountered a guiding principle of the Tlingit people: ‘Every part of an ecosystem matters. If one piece disappears, the whole system starts to break down.’ To them, community includes not just people, but land, animals, and the rhythms of nature. Everything is interconnected. I expressed to my fellow Rotarians that this is the kind of unity and interdependence we should strive for in our club — where everyone matters, every role counts, and mutual respect is our foundation.”
With exciting projects already underway, including a school supply drive for Kizirian School and the Legends for Literacy Gala, Bill concluded his remarks by outlining his goals for this next term in the Providence Rotary Club’s work.
“This year, I’m inviting a bottom-up approach, creating space for all voices, ideas, and passions,” Applegate said. “In the next year, I want to deepen our engagement with San Miguel School with more mentoring, more outreach, and even more fun. I want to continue our work with the blood drive at the RI Blood Bank. I also want to revive our environmental committee. Every member of this club has their own ideas waiting in the wings, so my philosophy is, if it builds goodwill and community, it’s worth pursuing.”
Our heartfelt congratulations to Bill on his new role, and to all RPL colleagues who help the Rotary Club fulfill their mission. If you’re interested in Providence’s local Rotary chapter or want to learn how you can become a member, please visit ProvidenceRotary.org.
