July 12, 2018: Picnic in Park.
This Week: The ascension of the new President of the Rotary Club of Stratford was celebrated today with Paul Roulston ringing the bell to call to order his first meeting as President. He is the 95th President of this Club, an honour that he readily acknowledged as he follows in the footsteps of his esteemed predecessors.
Our new president Paul Roulston giving his initial address to club flanked by Major Committee chairs. Missing is Gerry Thuss.
Mr. President began by thanking his family for their support, particularly his wife, Judy, with whom he feels that teamwork has always been the basis for their success. He also mentioned his daughter and her connection with Rotary as a former exchange student and her continuing involvement with Roteract in Ottawa, where she is now a District Representative. As a youth growing up in Stratford, he played in the Rotary Hockey and attended the Honours Graduation Dinner, had at first joined the Festival City Rotary Club and in 2010 Peter Maranger persuaded him to join our club. Thanks were extended to Peter and to all the mentors who have encouraged and advised him as he proceeded to this ultimate elevation.
The theme identified by the Rotary International President for 2018-19, is “Be the Inspiration”. Our President reflected on that call and cited the Respite House, AquaBox and our commitment to the Hospice as sure evidence that Rotary takes seriously its role to inspire and support our community and communities far-flung.
Priorities this coming year will include an emphasis on membership, and Mr. President reinforced that it is the responsibility of all current members to carefully consider others who might be introduced to Rotary and help to continue the work to which we are committed. To that end, The Executive will be holding several “member development” sessions during the year to inform members about the workings of Rotary and to encourage further involvement. Other priorities involve strengthening the Rotary Stratford “brand” through reaching out to other organizations and forming collaborations and joint projects, such as environmental sustainability, that advance Rotary goals; and engaging Roteract in a more meaningful way by having them attend Board meetings and ensuring that they see themselves as being in partnership with our Club, not just a project of our Club.
The new President closed by again thanking all members for their support and promising a rewarding “year in Rotary”.
Your ever-humble scribe,
Guy Chadsey
Guests: Today we welcomed, Judy Roulston, Carolynne Champagne (Goderich RC), Wayne Yundt, Dianne Yundt(AG Area #, FCRC)
Draw: The draw prize today was donated by Guy Chadsey and was won by Jim Scott.
Make-ups: no report
July’s Attendance Committee: Bill Braun (I/C), Rheo Thompson, Dan Vito, Steve Lichty, Bill Lemmon, Bob Lightfoot, Pat Redshaw, Jim Snider, Carolyn Drummond.
