Andrew Johnson chaired his last meeting of our Rotary club on Friday, June 16, 2023, having served as our club's 103rd president. Andrew thanked and recognized many Rotarians with Paul Harris Awards. We thank Andrew for his service!
President Andrew Johnson's Closing Remarks
As you know, the lifeblood of Rotary is its International Foundation - the funding agency through which all international development projects are realized in Rotary.
It is important that all Rotarians develop an affinity to the RI Foundation, and one of the ways that we encourage that internally is by recognizing the works of Rotarians through the Paul Harris Fellowship.
Paul Harris Fellowships are either earned through financial contributions of $1,000 USD by members, or through the gift of Fellowship Recognition points that members and clubs receive for contributions to the Foundation on a dollar per point basis.
Over the 103 year history of our club, we as a club alone have donated over $925,000 to the RI Foundation to help fund projects across the world, and our members have donated hundreds of thousands of dollars in addition to that.
We each have the opportunity to progress in our Rotary career towards major donor status by collecting 10 Paul Harris Fellowships along the way.
Today it is my privilege to recognize several of our Rotarians into the Paul Harris Fellowship and among these today are two first-time PHF recipients.
JOE VALERIOTE
For his 7th PHF, Rotarian Joe Valeriote. Joe has demonstrated the very personification of Rotary in our club - consistency, humour, dedication, and the joy of fellowship.
DR. LAWRIE JONES
For his 6th PHF, Dr Lawrie Jones. Lawrie has also demonstrated the very personification of Rotary in our club, in this his 50th year, bravely taking on the role of special advisor to your President.
For his 6th PHF, Dr Lawrie Jones. Lawrie has also demonstrated the very personification of Rotary in our club, in this his 50th year, bravely taking on the role of special advisor to your President.
RANDY SEAGER
For his 4th PHF, Randy Seager. Randy has modelled Service Above Self in his diligence with the appointment as Chair of the very busy Club Service Avenue. Randy has skillfully, and at great expense of time and persuasion, built a team to last us beyond his time with us, and for that we are very grateful.
For his 4th PHF, Randy Seager. Randy has modelled Service Above Self in his diligence with the appointment as Chair of the very busy Club Service Avenue. Randy has skillfully, and at great expense of time and persuasion, built a team to last us beyond his time with us, and for that we are very grateful.
KERRY JOHNSON
For his 4th PHF, Kerry Johnson. Kerry has personified the quality of dedication and steadfastness, loyally working hard to keep our club going in challenging times.
For his 4th PHF, Kerry Johnson. Kerry has personified the quality of dedication and steadfastness, loyally working hard to keep our club going in challenging times.
ANNE MACKAY
For her 2nd PHF, Anne MacKay. Anne has acted in spectacular fashion as manager of our Programs, as meeting host, introducer, thanker, moderator, and all of this done with charm and personality.
BRIAN MARTIN
For his 2nd PHF, Brian Martin. Brian has modelled Service Above Self with his perfect attendance, and his dedication to the club service team, and now the Presidents’ Team.
For his 2nd PHF, Brian Martin. Brian has modelled Service Above Self with his perfect attendance, and his dedication to the club service team, and now the Presidents’ Team.
CHRIS WILLARD
For his 2nd PHF, Chris Willard. Chris has hosted the board at his office, and has helped challenge our community service team using his expertise and knowledge of the community, and granting expertise.
FAZ ASHKAR
For his 2nd PHF, Faz Ashkar. Faz models Service Above Self in all of his relationships, has been a fabulous host to our Rotary family at his home, and has endeared himself early in his Rotary career to everyone with his vision and his resolve to make a difference in the world.
MATTHEW WEBSTER
For his 2nd PHF, Matthew Webster. Matthew has stepped up continually to lead, and brings his humour and dedication to each file he applies himself to in Rotary.
For his 2nd PHF, Matthew Webster. Matthew has stepped up continually to lead, and brings his humour and dedication to each file he applies himself to in Rotary.
MICHELE RICHARDSON
For her 2nd PHF, Michele Richardson. Michele has followed a Rotary leader - Tom Funk - into the important file of membership, focusing on building a membership experience for new and existing Rotarians that embraces all of the possibilities Rotary offers, from service to fellowship.
For her 2nd PHF, Michele Richardson. Michele has followed a Rotary leader - Tom Funk - into the important file of membership, focusing on building a membership experience for new and existing Rotarians that embraces all of the possibilities Rotary offers, from service to fellowship.
NANITA MOHAN
For her 2nd PHF, Nanita Mohan. Nanita bravely challenges the board to step into the diversity equity and inclusion space with courage and resolve, and the club is grateful for her willingness to put her leadership into action as our 104th Club President.
For her 2nd PHF, Nanita Mohan. Nanita bravely challenges the board to step into the diversity equity and inclusion space with courage and resolve, and the club is grateful for her willingness to put her leadership into action as our 104th Club President.
BARB HOLMES
For her 2nd PHF, Barb Holmes. Barb has not wavered in her resolve to re-ignite an old club relationship with the Career Education Council, and her passion for Youth and Vocational Service could not be more evident than it has been through her encouragement of her peers to step into their Rotary Vocational Service opportunities.
PAUL DREDGE
For his 2nd PHF, Paul Dredge. Past President Paul is a classic representation and inspiration for all Rotarians of Service Above Self, dedication, persistence and vision, particularly on the youth mental health and wellness file.
For his 2nd PHF, Paul Dredge. Past President Paul is a classic representation and inspiration for all Rotarians of Service Above Self, dedication, persistence and vision, particularly on the youth mental health and wellness file.
TERRIE JARVIS
For her 2nd PHF, Terrie Jarvis. There are few words that can describe Terrie’s depth of character, talent, and resolve. Everyone in our club - literally everyone - has the best model of how to serve in Rotary, and how to interact with others as we observe how Terrie influences community good in all she does.
For her 2nd PHF, Terrie Jarvis. There are few words that can describe Terrie’s depth of character, talent, and resolve. Everyone in our club - literally everyone - has the best model of how to serve in Rotary, and how to interact with others as we observe how Terrie influences community good in all she does.
RAECHELLE DEVERAUX
For her 1st PHF, Raechelle Devereaux. Raechelle has had quite the year and a bit - and poured herself into our community service avenue with excellence, persistence, humour, and vision.
For her 1st PHF, Raechelle Devereaux. Raechelle has had quite the year and a bit - and poured herself into our community service avenue with excellence, persistence, humour, and vision.
GISELLA GAZZOLA
And for her 1st PHF, Gisella Gazzola. Gisella has embraced her Rotary family by giving of her process design and management experience to the most challenging file our club has, our grants process. The club owes an incredible debt to Gisella for her humour, excellence, relationship building, and the sheer volume of time given to the club and to members.
And for her 1st PHF, Gisella Gazzola. Gisella has embraced her Rotary family by giving of her process design and management experience to the most challenging file our club has, our grants process. The club owes an incredible debt to Gisella for her humour, excellence, relationship building, and the sheer volume of time given to the club and to members.
It has been an honour to serve Rotary in leadership these past 4 years - and in the role of Club President this past year - alongside each of you as we have, together, tried our best to make the community we live in - locally, and globally - a better place. Thank you.