July 5, 2020The Rotary Club of Guelph has a presidential tradition, based on a 1950s Paul Harris Fellow medallion in our club archives.
Watch this short video as outgoing president Carolyn Weatherson speaks of handing over this medallion to incoming president Tracey Curtis.
This medallion's history is worth reading.
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Several years ago, this medallion was purchased at local flea market. Last year, it was found again and kindly forwarded to our club member, Ab Moore, for Rotary's interest.
As the medallion is inscribed, Ab was able to dig into its history and learned that it was, in fact, the 16th Paul Harris Fellowship medallion ever issued, in recognition for a donation of $1,000 to the Rotary International Foundation. It had apparently been awarded in 1957 to Dr. J. L. Little, who had served as the Rotary Club of Guelph's president in 1950-51.
How wonderful that this medallion "came home" to our club! Ab brought the medallion to the club, told of its history, and proposed that the medallion be worn by each club president in turn, starting with Carolyn.
A wonderful new tradition for the Rotary Club of Guelph was born, adding to our spectacular centennial year of celebrations.