To his great surprise Darrell Portz was awarded the 2005-2006 Paul Harris award by his local club.

Since joining our club 10 years ago, Darrell has exceeded all expectations in terms of involvement in club activities and community service. He has had the confidence of the Executive and membership to hold all of the positions he has attained in his 10 years with us.

Darrell Portz has been an exemplary Rotarian since being brought to the club some 10 years ago by Barry Talbot. The accomplishments and commitments provided below could stand by themselves but we are confident that fellow Club members would agree that there is much more to Darrell than simply his outstanding Club involvement.

Darrell has taken on a number of key executive roles during his past 10 years and has maintained his involvement at this level throughout this period. Darrell brings enthusiasm and commitment to Rotary like few otheres and his contributors to date. Although this was not intended by Darrell, it clearly set him apart from the majority of members in the Club.

His accomplishments are as follows:

  • President of the Rotary Club of Yellowknife, 2002/04
  • Past President of the Rotary Club of Yellowknife, 2003/04
  • Sgt-at-Arm, 2004/05
  • A member of the Club Executive, six of the 10 years he has been a member.
  • Developed and upkeeps the Club website
  • Researches and writes articles for the website and provided continual maintenance and support.
  • Provides one-on-one training for members having difficulty with accessing the website
  • Conducted Firesides for proposed members
  • Developed a powerpoint presentation for Firesides, incorporating local and District issues.
  • Presently completing a review of the Club's Bylaws.
  • Has been personally responsible for the induction of at least 10 new members

Vocational Services:

  • Northern Experience Program Coordinator or involved in serveral of the activities for the past 8 years.
  • Has billeted students for the above program and other programs.
  • Former Director of Vocational Services
  • Has been a member of the Vocational Services since joining the Club.

Community Service:

  • Reading Buddy for students in the Kids Ahead Program
  • Participates in the Rotary Radio Days, Rotary Roses, Bike Auction, Canada Day Parade
  • Past volunteer member of the Yellowknife Fire Department x 7 years.
  • Former member of YK Citizens on Patrol.
  • Currently serving as an Auxillary Constable with the Yellowknife RCMP.
  • Director of Lunchpail Theatre Group
  • Member of the International Police Association (IPA) Region 5 since 1992, Registrar from 1994096, NWT Liaison since 1996.
  • Member of the 1998 Arctic Winter Games Organizing Committee, playing a role on the Assets/Inventory and Security Committees

International Service:

  • Received the Presidential Citation for his year as Yellowknife Rotary President.
  • Has supported the Rotary Foundation.
  • Received the "Four Avenues of Service Award" from Rotary International in 2003
  • Participated in the 2004 Wheelchair program by purchasing wheelchairs and traveling to Mexico to assist in distributing them to the needy.

WHAT IS THE PAUL HARRIS AWARD?

The Paul Harris Fellowship is named for Paul Harris, who founded Rotary 100 years ago. The Fellowship was established in his honor in 1957 to express appreciation and recognition for a contribution of US $1000 to the Rotary Foundation. A Paul Harris Fellow is an individual who contributes US $1000 OR in whose name that amount is contributed. Every Paul Harris Fellow receives a pin, medallion and a certificate when he or she becomes a fellow. This identifies the Paul Harris Fellow as an advocate of the Foundation's goals of world peace and international understanding.