Last Friday, February 16th, the Rotary Club of Guelph accepted its newest member, Ian Blain. Welcome to the club, Ian!
Last Friday, February 16th, the Rotary Club of Guelph accepted its newest member, Ian Blain. The following is a transcript of the introduction speech that Matt Webster gave for Ian.
Today we are honored to induct Ian as a new member into the ROTARY Club of Guelph. I would like to give a brief bio of Ian. Ian was born and raised in Toronto. He received his BA from the University of Toronto in 1973, attended law school at Queen’s University in Kingston, received his LLB in 1976 and was Called to the Bar in 1978.
Ian married his spouse Carol in 1975. He practised law for a year in Toronto after his Call to the Bar. In 1979 Carol and Ian decided that they no longer wanted to live in the “ big city” so he accepted a position with a firm in Ingersoll, Ontario. Ian practised law in Ingersoll from 1979 to December of 2023. At the time of his retirement the firm was known as Ian R. Blain Law Professional Corporation operating as IRB Law.
While in Ingersoll, Ian was actively involved in community service. He was a member of Big Brothers from 1980-1986. From the mid-1990s up to 2021 Ian served on various boards including The Oxford Housing Authority, The Women’s Emergency Centre, Ingersoll & District Chamber of Commerce ( President 1994-1996) and most recently the board of the Alexandra Hospital ( Chairman of the Board 2017-2019).
Ian has two adult children, Hilary and Roger and two granddaughters, Molly and Megan. His children and grandchildren all live in Toronto. In 2017 Carol and Ian decided to move to Guelph so that we would be closer to our children and grandchildren. Guelph is exactly half way between Toronto and Ingersoll. They were also somewhat familiar with the community since their daughter had attended the University of Guelph. They bought a condo in the Metalworks complex on Arthur St South and moved in April of 2019.
Ian enjoys golf, theatre, classical music, jazz, reading and visiting with his family.
As Ian developed his retirement plans he decided that he needed to meet more people and become involved in the community. He chose Rotary. Ian liked its objectives and was influenced by the fact that Rotary had very active chapters in Ingersoll and Woodstock. Ian very much looks forward to being a member of the Rotary Club of Guelph.
Welcome again to Rotary, Ian. There are several milestones that are life altering. We go through life so focused on career and family. But at some point we realize that we must give back to society, to our community. We believe that joining Rotary is one of those life altering moments. When I was inducted into Rotary, I thought it was one of the most important decisions that I had ever made. And that set the tone for me as a Rotarian. I hope it does for you also. You have been chosen for membership in the Rotary Club of Guelph, because your fellow members believe you to be a leader in your vocation and community.
We look to you to be a liaison between us and the other members of your profession. We expect you to educate us about your classification, and, on the other hand, it becomes your duty to carry Rotary ideals and principles of service to your friends, business associates, and the members of the vocation which you represent. While membership in Rotary is an honor and privilege, it involves corresponding obligations. An important requirement of membership is regular attendance at the weekly meetings. I know it’s not always easy to make the meetings, but only busy people are eligible for membership in our club. One of the great privileges of Rotary is fellowship, and the mutual confidence which it inspires. It is always true that, if you want to have friends, you must show yourself to be friendly. As the old adage goes, “No one is interested in what you have to say, until you show that you are interested in what they say”. Therefore, we commit ourselves to doing our part to make you feel welcome. In return, we expect that you will share the responsibility for the development of closer personal relationships, which will be to our mutual benefit. Good Rotarians must constantly keep before them the primary object of Rotary. “Service Above Self” is our motto, and Rotary expects each member to live up to this ideal. You must live by the 4-Way Test
1.Is it the truth?
2.Is it fair to all concerned?
3.Will it build good will and better friendship?
4.Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
If you live by those rules, you will never go wrong. The community will know and judge Rotary through your example in character and service; and we accept you as a member because we believe the principles and objects of Rotary will be safe in your keeping.
We know that we will receive much from you in help and service which will enable us to be better Rotarians; and we most heartily offer you the right hand of Rotary fellowship. On behalf of the Rotary Club of Guelph and Rotary International, may I welcome you into our Rotary Wheel - - which faces inward for friendship and fellowship and outward in service to our community and to the world.
With the presentation of this Rotary Pin, I declare you to be a member of the Rotary Club of Guelph. (Ask the Club President to assist the sponsor in pinning our new member.)
Fellow Rotarians please stand. I present to you our newest member, Ian Blain.
Thank you Matt for your wonderful speech! Ian, we can't wait to see what you'll contribute to our club!