While we can’t gather in person, The Rotary Club of Dryden went virtual Wednesday night for their annual Paul Harris Fellows Award evening to recognize new, active and past members.
The evening began with a virtual banquet. Members ordered a take-out meal prepared by The Best Western Conference Centre. The meals were picked up the day before and cooked at home on Wednesday with everyone eating together on Zoom at 6:15 PM.
“Life Members” Award
The formal evening’s awards began about 7:00 when Rotarian Carl Eisener acknowledged three Rotarians, with a new honour.
Joanne Bunney Clare and Elaine Thompson
“Joanne Bunney, Elaine and Clare Thompson are the first three Life Members of our club. Between the three of them, they represent 75 years of service above self as members of the Rotary Club of Dryden. The three of them have taught us a great deal about what being a Rotarian is all about. It is because of their example and their efforts the Rotary Club of Dryden is what it is today.”
Paul Harris Fellow Awards
Rotarian and Club Secretary, Ed Iskra announced the six Paul Harris Fellows for 2020.
Iskra began with Clare Thompson. “Clare has served as our only district governor, our club president, an active Rotarian for the past 42 years and is now a six-time Paul Harris fellow,” he announced.
Other recipients of the Paul Harris Fellows this year include Cam Fyfe, Trevor Szmon, Peter Keen, Sally Sipos, and Brian Braid for their contributions to the Rotary Foundation.
Cam Trevor Peter
Sally Brian Clare
Honorary Paul Harris Awards to Local Citizens
The Club also recognized two Community Paul Harris Honorees, citizens who exemplify Rotary’s motto “Service Above Self” but are not Rotarians.
Greg Wilson Marj Vermeer
The honour went to Mayor Greg Wilson and Marj Vermeer. Introduction of the honorees was done by Rtn. Joanne Bunny who nominated Greg and Mardi Plomp who nominated Marj. in pre-recorded videos and shared through Zoom.
New Member Inductions
Rotarians also inducted Dion Desserre and Jason Kirouac as new members of the club.
Memorial Awards
Memorial awards were presented by Rotarian Anna Traini, too two members who passed away during the past year.
President Anna Traini first honoured, Marg Saville. “She gave her heart to the community. Racing dragon boats, making popcorn, wheeling cement at the yacht club, raising money and leading projects for rotary. She was always the first to volunteer and definitely exemplified the rotary model of service above self”, she said.
A second recognition went to the late Rolly Swan. Anna announced, “He was also a highly active member of both the Dryden Ski Club and Dryden Yacht Club. Rolly definitely knew how to give back to his community and was always there helping, wherever help was needed.”The Rotary Club of Dryden will make a two-thousand-dollar donation to Shelter Box in memory of the two deceased Rotarians.
The above post is based on a report by Sarah McCarthy of CKDR
Further Posts on this topic:
- Paul Harris Fellowship Awards Honour 3 Rotarians and 3 Community Citizens
- Paul Harris Fellowships Awarded to Seven Members; One Posthumously
- Paul Harris Night, Performance Night for Pianists, and Purple Passion for Polio
- CLUB HONOURS TWO DRYDEN CITIZENS WITH PAUL HARRIS FELLOWSHIPS
- Royal Conservatory Students Entertain Rotarians at Paul Harris Fellowship Night
- Dryden Rotary 2018 Awards Night a celebration of our best Young Piano Students, Outstanding Community Volunteers and Club’s Paul Harris Fellows.