President & Officers Induction Celebration

Posted by Russell McMurchie 
 
The annual President & Officers Induction celebration was held June 28/07 at the Best Western Confrence Centre in Port Coquitlam. It was a fun evening, the second such for the club since it's beginning in Feb. 2005. Mitchell Marcus, the second President of the club, turned the gavel over to Paul Gill, the president-elect and wished him well.
 
The club has an exemplary record, first under Barrie Seaton's term and then under Mitchell Marcus. Paul Gill will have some big shoes to fill. The event was attended by members and their partners as well as many guests from other Rotary clubs. The club again received the Presidential Citation Award from Rotary International during the year, an unheard of accomplishment for a young term club.
The clubs accomplishments during the year were many and support for Rotary International, the City of Port Coquitlam and many needful organizations was recognized in this award.
Some of the activities of this club since Feb. 2005 were:
Rotary Club of Port Coquitlam Centennial Acheivements since it's inception 2 years ago:
1. Donated funds to Rotary Tsunami relief Fund.
2. Participated in City of Port Coquitlam's "Clean-Up-Day" 
3. Supported Crossroads Hospice with it's Hike For Hospice (2005 & 2006 and organized the event in 2007)
4. Supported the City Of Port Coquitlam with the May Day Parade (2005 & 2006) In 2007 the parade became the Rotary Port Coquitlam Parade thanks to Barrie Seaton's work.
5. Supported The Terry Fox Run.
6. Supported the Port Coquitlam BIA with Harvest Festival.
7. Held fundraising events to raise funds for Rotoplast missions.
8. Supported the Seniors Breakfast at Wilson Centre (2005, 2006 & 2007)
9. Supported the Seniors Christmas Party and Pub Nights at Hawthorne Care Centre
10. Supported Bingo Night at Hawthorne Care Centre
11. Participated in Crystal Meth Task Force
12. Raised Club funds through the sale of Domino's Pizza Cards.
13. Held an International Night to raise funds for the club.
14. Nominated an Ambassadorial Scholar (2005 & 2006)
15. Sponsored a student to RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards)
16. Provided funds to Riverside Secondary School for trips to Sri Lanka and Brazil to help underprivileged children.
17. Supported the POCOMO Youth Society Community Bus.
18. Provided a Safe Drive Home program at the City of Port Coquitlam Christmas Party in 2005 & 2006.
19. Sponsored 60 Wheel Chairs through the Wheelchair Foundation for needy people around the world.
20. Exceeded our commitment to the Rotary Foundation for the year just ended.
21. Retained 84% of Charter Members and increased membership by a net of 4 members
22. Provided funds for the activity Fair for Port Coquitlam Youth.
23. Applied for and secured gaming funds to assist with communinty projedts.
24. Attended District Conferences (2005 & 2006) and all District Training Programs.
25. Attended PETS (President Elect Training Seminar) (2005 & 2006)
26. Purchased and sold Entertainment Books to raise funds for the club.
27. Supported other Rotary Clubs with their fundraising activities.

Some of the Awards received by the club since it's Charter in 2005:
- Received Presidential Citation Award from Rotary International
- Received Peace Arch Award from District 5050
- Received Awards from the City of Prt Coquitlam for outstanding volunteer work and support to the community (2005 & 2006)
- Received awards from Crossroads Hospice Society for providing support to the Hike For Hospice
- Received congratulations and recognition from Premier Campbell and Harry Bloy MLA, at time of charter and 1st year anniversary.
- Received award from Terry Fox Foundation for helping with the Terry Fox Run.