Paul Harris Presentations

Posted by Naomi Ducklow 
 

President Tracy, Rotarian's and guests.

In my business day I am always looking for Potential Rotarian's -  It's always a challenge to explain what Rotary is. Last week I did just that  - tried to explain what Rotary is to a potential Rotarian.  

 

In this month's Rotarian Magazine - RI President Ray Klinginsmith made it easy..  

He said Rotary is simple:

"Club members, who are community leaders, learn to know and respect one another through their weekly meetings, which create friendship, fellowship, and networking. When a community need is identified, the club members find they have an amazing ability to fill the need because they have the leading business and professional leaders in the community as their members, and they know how to get things done!"

I also explained the Rotary Foundation to this potential new Rotarian.  

It's  Rotary's charity.

The Foundation is the fuel for Rotary's motor.  So Rotary, and members within can accomplish the goals we set..

If you've ever wondered why we should give.  here are the Top 5 reasons

5) Fighting Hunger

Reducing child mortality

Promoting peace and conflict resolution

Basic education and literacy programs - guess what #1  is

Eradicating polio

The potential Rotarians I was speaking with said one thing he liked about the idea of Rotary was - joining a network of like minded people to do good in the community. 

And that's so true.  Alone you can accomplish much.   But with a room of 60 you can accomplish a great deal more.   Sunrise House was not accomplished because of one person, but one community of people.  The Scarecrow Festival raised over 30  thousand because many worked together.   The Foodbank Drive, hundreds of people.   So imagine with you can do with 1.2 million working together - that's the Foundation

Together we can accomplish so much more.

The dollars we provide to the Foundation provide funding to international projects - but half of it comes back for our District to fund our own programs - in our communities.

When a donor reaches $1000 US in donations to the Foundation we recognize them with a Paul Harris Fellow, named after the Founder of Rotary.  Some make it over time to $2000 dollars when we award them a Paul Harris Fellow Plus one, 3000 dollars is Paul Harris Fellow plus 2, and so on.

While it is an honor to receive a Paul Harris Fellow, it's not about the recognition;   it's about what we can do in the World as Rotarians together. 

And so it indeed is a pleasure to provide Paul Harris Fellow awards to 5 members of your club today.

Paul Harris Awards:

First:

Kylee Haining -

Jeff Keddie

Plus 1

Andy Beal

Plus 2

Harvey Syrota

Plus 3

Gerry Dobko

Rotarians, please wear your pin with pride as it is as a symbol of your appreciation and support of the programs of the Rotary Foundation

Ladies and gentleman please congratulate and recognize our newest Paul Harris Fellows