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Name/Organization: Tom Juengling, President of the Rosie Reds
Years as President: Three
How did you get the position: Elected by members
Duties: Oversee events, make on-field presentations on Reds' Scholarship Day
Salary: Volunteer
Trusted second in command: Tammy Little
How many people do you boss around? "You oversee things, but it's mostly done by committee, Juengling says. "The president can't just willy-nilly make changes."
President Bush gets "Hail to the Chief" played when he walks in a room; if your position had a ceremonial song attached to it, what would it be: "At the annual meeting, the officers walk in to the tune of 'Everything's Coming Up Roses.' You know to get into the ballroom when the song starts."
Tom Juengling made history in 2004 by winning election to the presidency of the Rosie Reds. "I have the distinction of being the only male president for the Rosies," he says.
Since its founding more than 40 years ago, the Cincinnati Reds booster organization had been exclusively under the command of women. But despite its florid name, the organization isn't just for female fans.
"That's what people tend to think because of the acronym," Juengling says. "But I would say there's about maybe one-third male participants.
A lot of husbands join."
"Rosie" is an acronym for Rooters Organized to Stimulate Interest and Enthusiasm.
"My mother was involved in the Rosies, and I joined in 1989 or '90," Juengling says.
Formed in June 1963 when there was danger of the National League franchise moving out of Cincinnati, the Rosie Reds has grown into both a philanthropic and social organization. The Rosies award baseball endowments or scholarships every year, donate $2,500 to the Powel Crosley Jr. Kid Glove Association and support the Annual Kid Glove games at Great American Ball Park. An award is also made to a senior female athlete from Withrow High School in memory of Nancy Gomien, a past president of the Rosie Reds.
The club has about 2,300 members now. By agreement with the Reds, the Rosies are limited to 3,000 members. In the days of the Big Red Machine in the 1970s, the club was so popular that it had a waiting list for new members.
Membership rises and falls with the team's performance each season, Juengling says.
"As the Reds go, we go," he says.
Each member of the Rosie Reds receives two tickets to a Reds home game each year.
Juengling's rise to the presidency started with a term on the board of trustees. Then he became vice president. His history-making election didn't involve a difficult campaign.
"If you show interest and the nominating committee and the trustees are agreeable, then you're more or less appointed," Juengling says. "Then it's put to the membership at the annual meeting."
Each president is limited to a three-year term, and Juengling's vice president, Tammy Little, recently succeeded him in the top office. The new vice president is Teena Schweier.
Juengling laughs when asked about perks of office, powers invested in the commander in chief of the Rosie Reds or the opportunity to boss people around.
"Basically, the job is a lot of answering questions," he says.
For more information about the Rosie Reds, visit Rosiereds.org.
