2024 RCOT Paul Harris Fellows

The Paul Harris Fellow recognition acknowledges individuals who have made a significant contribution to Rotary.  This year 7 club members were recognised for there ongoing efforts at advance to Rotary ideals.

 

Dana, a long-standing Rotarian, has been a driving force for positive change since joining our club in early 2023. His work on improving our communication infrastructure has modernized operations, streamlined internal processes, and strengthened outreach. He was instrumental in the redesign of the club’s webpage and assisted in the development of new templates for the club’s newsletter. These enhancements have created a more dynamic environment and, I believe, will significantly contribute to attracting new members.

He has always been one to seek out opportunities to become involved and is willing to assist anyone that seeks his help. He is also an active member of the Communications committee. His dedication continues to leave a lasting impact on the club and its members.

This is Dana’s 4^th Paul Harris award.

 

Liliana, since assuming responsibility for Youth Services, has breathed new life into the importance and purpose of Rotary among young people. Her dedication and innovative approach have inspired renewed engagement and enthusiasm within this vital area. Through her work with the Abbey Park Interact Club, she has fostered a stronger connection between Rotary and the younger generation, creating opportunities for leadership, service, and community involvement.

Liliana's efforts have not only strengthened the Interact Club but have also significantly increased Rotary’s visibility and positive reputation within the community. Her commitment serves as a shining example of how impactful Youth Services can be in building future leaders and ensuring the ongoing legacy of Rotary.

Prior to her efforts with the Youth Services Committee, Liliana was the guiding light for us, and others in the Rotary family, during the initial stages of Covid with her expertise in vaccines. She is also active in several club activities like Ribfest.

This will be Liliana’s 2^nd Paul Harris award.

Bruce is a dedicated Rotarian with a strong focus on International Service and Fundraising. He has been Chair of the International Committee and has been a key member of the MOB International Committee since its inception. He raises vital funds for international projects through personal contacts, significantly expanding our ability to support international projects. He does research on new opportunities, oversees grants and has completed training to write district and global grants.

He is currently leading a District Grant for solar panels for a charity in Honduras and a Global

Grant for a lab in Honduras. During vacations, Bruce always packs donations for locals in need, visits charities to monitor the projects, and evaluates potential international service projects.

This year he led efforts to secure RBC as the Title Sponsor for Ribfest and found a warehouse for the auction. Bruce consistently collects items for the online auction and volunteers at Ribfest.

Even during the pandemic, he supported hunger relief initiatives in Honduras and Guatemala. Bruce’s ongoing commitment to impactful international service has certainly increased awareness of Rotary in Third World countries.

This will be Bruce’s 2^nd Paul Harris award.

 

 

Bob’s contributions to the club are significant. He has been Club Secretary, and as a key part of the Communications Team, Bob manages the Weekly Courier, RIOTS, newsletters, and assists with social media and website updates. He worked with Dana on the redesign of our website. Bob took it upon himself to file previous club documents on our website so that they can be readily found if needed.

Bob also plays a significant role in the Auction with Bent, managing the donated gift cards. He attends both the Auction and marketing meetings.

Bob is a reliable resource for members, ready to help and guide them. Bob is always willing to host you for coffee and discuss club business. Dependable and level-headed, Bob is a trusted advisor who understands the club’s dynamics and handles challenges effectively.

After more than 12 years as a key member of our club, Bob has decided to resign from the club to spend more time with family and on personal interests. However, he has also made it clear that his door is always open and that he looks forward to his Rotary friends continuing to stop by for coffee and guidance.

It is fitting that we happen to recognize Bob with a Paul Harris award while he is still a member of our club.

This is Bob’s 5^th Paul Harris award.

 

 

Ron is truly deserving of recognition after serving as Treasurer for the club for several years. This role, while critical to the organization’s success, often goes underappreciated despite its demands. The Treasurer’s function is not only about managing finances but also ensuring the club operates smoothly and responsibly. Ron has fulfilled these responsibilities with exceptional professionalism, attention to detail, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

Ron was also Club President during the 2014/15 rotary year.

Ron was always the first person to arrive for the weekly meetings and then smiled at each of us as we arrived while he happily collected our money each week. Even though he is no longer Treasurer, he still attends the weekly meetings and collects Happy Bucks and the lunch fee from anyone who hasn’t e-transferred the money already, while our current Treasurer, June, enjoys Mexico. He also continues to write the Club cheques while she is away.

Through his dedication, Ron has managed the club's financial affairs with precision and integrity, contributing significantly to the club's overall success. His meticulous work has laid a strong foundation for continued growth and stability. If anyone deserves an "end of function" award, it is undoubtedly Ron—a fitting acknowledgment of his invaluable contributions and distinguished service to the club.

This will be Ron’s 5^th Paul Harris award.

 

 

Trish has been a member of our club for 35 years. During that time, she has held many roles, including being President, way back in 1998/99. She is always available to help. Whether it was Kerr Street Dinners, the Strawberry Social, skits at Rotary Conferences or other projects, one could always count on Trish to step up and help.

However, Ribfest has always been a significant event for Trish. To her, it is more than a fundraiser for the club, it is the premier 3-day community event in Oakville. She served as Chair for the first year and her leadership was instrumental in pulling it off successfully. She continued as Chair for several years and, even after stepping down, she remained deeply involved in the event. She invested countless hours into organizing Ribfest and was present every day to volunteer and ensure everything ran smoothly. When Ribfest was at risk of being discontinued, Trish's passion and dedication led her to volunteer as Chair once more, this time alongside a co-chair from the Lions Club.

Beyond Ribfest, she also volunteers at the Salvation Army kettles during Christmas and collects items for the Auction.

This is Trish’s 6^th Paul Harris award.

 

Cathy is an essential member of our club and has long been a key player in Club Service and Communications. She regularly posts on Facebook and Instagram for the club and organizes our social functions. Cathy was also Club President during the 2021/22 Rotary year.

She helped guide the club through the difficult transition to the new hybrid meeting format.

Cathy has made gift baskets for the auction and plays an important role at Ribfest. She volunteers whenever needed and recently supported International Service by writing project applications and representing our club in the Project Partnership initiative with Kitchener.

Cathy has collected coats for charity and organized the club’s outings to cook meals for Kerr Street Mission. She also cooks at Kerr Street on her own time. Cathy is a prime example of a dedicated Rotarian!

This is Cathy’s 3^rd Paul Harris award.