Recognition Evening - May 6, 2010
The Rotary Club of Newcastle held a Recognition Evening on Thursday, May 6, 2010 at the Seaman's Hospital.
The evening included recognition of two Paul Harris Fellows as well as the presentation of the Charter, pins and certificates to
members of the Miramichi Valley High School Interact Club.
The Master of Ceremonies for the evening was Dawn Waye,
incoming President for the 2010-2011 year. Mayor Gerry Cormier brought greetings from the City of Miramichi and extended
his appreciation for the work the Rotary Club of Newcastle does in the community especially through the Pond Hockey tournament.
He also commended the youth for their commitment to volunteerism.
President Michel Lafrance spoke on the history
and purpose of Rotary. There are approximately 1.2 million Rotarians belong to more than 32,000 clubs
in more than 200 countries and geographical areas. The motto of Rotary is Service Above Self.
Rotarian Herman Koops presented a Paul Harris Fellow to Cheryl Brown. The theme of Herman's
presentation was friendship, the "type of friendship, that of being
a kindred spirit, of being even closer then a brother (or sister), extending even to those we have never met in a 3rd world
country on the other side of the earth, is what defines Rotary. And Cheryl Brown definitely exemplifies
that type of friendship." Cheryl is the wife of Rotarian Francis Malley and graciously shares her time and
skills to various club projects and activities including the Pond Hockey Tournament and Music Festival to name a few.
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| Rotarian Herman Koops presents Paul Harris Fellow to friend of Rotary Cheryl Brown |
Rotarian Pat Perry presented a Paul Harris Fellow for Dr. Tiffany Keenan to Amanda
(Keenan) Wilson, Dr. Keenan's sister. Dr. Keenan has always exhibited a desire to help others. Her passion
for humanitarian work took her to the Congo in 2006. She has also been involved with Healing Hands for Haiti.
In 2007 she founded Haiti Village Health to help coordinate medical teams into Haiti. More recently Dr. Keenan has been instrumental in coordinating air
traffic and relief deliveries with the Canadian military following the devastating earthquake there earlier this
year. Dr. Tiffany Keenan has shown selfless compassion to some of the poorest and neediest amongst us. She exemplifies
the ideals of Rotary through her vocational and volunteer service.
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| Rotarian Pat Perry presents Dr. Tiffany Keenan's Paul Harris Fellow to Amanda (Keenan) Wilson |
President Michel Lafrance and Rotarians Jaime Dunn and Mike Mersereau
explained what an Interact Club is and how the local Interact Club was formed. Rotarian Greg MacDiarmid was the driving force behind
the establishment of the Miramichi Valley High School Interact Club. Teacher Advisor Brett Cameron and Interact President
Taylor ? addressed the gathering. The MVHS Interact Club raised over $1600 in four days for their international service
project - a Shelter Box for the Haiti relief efforts.
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| President Michel Lafrance presents the Charter to President Taylor Kelly and Secretary Mary Allen |
First Row left - right: Emily King, Mr. Brett Cameron (advisor), Erin Flett, Mary Allen, Taylor
Kelly, Rachel Cox, Constanze Fetting, Miranda Gouchie, Olivia Barry, Megan Stewart, Erika Mahoney, Priscilla Anderson, Shawna
Williams, Eleanor Berger
Second Row left - right: Braden Koops, Chris Urquhart, Eric Gilliss, Tyler Mullin,
Caleb Hans, Thomas Williams, Greg Richard, Erin Walsh, Tessa Burns
The evening ended with a reception.
Thanks go out to the Paul Harris Committee, the Recognition Evening organizers and all those that attended, especially
past Paul Harris receipients, for making this such a special event.
The Paul Harris Society recognizes Rotarians and friends of The Rotary Foundation
who annually contribute US$1,000 or more to the Annual Programs Fund, PolioPlus, and PolioPlus Partners, or the Humanitarian
Grants Program. The Paul Harris Society is named after Paul
P.Harris, founder of RotaryInternational. Paul Harris formed the world’s first service club, the Rotary Club of Chicago,
on 23 February 1905. His intention was to recapture in a professional club the same friendly spirit he had felt in the
small towns of his youth. Today, Paul Harris Society contributions to The Rotary Foundation support a wide range of
humanitarian grants and educational programs that enable Rotarians to bring hope and promote international understanding throughout
the world.
Interact is Rotary International’s service club for young people ages 12 to 18.
Interact clubs are sponsored by individual Rotary clubs, which provide support and guidance, but they are self-governing and
self-supporting. Each year, Interact clubs complete at least two community service projects, one of which furthers
international understanding and goodwill. Through these efforts, Interactors develop a network of friendships with local and
overseas clubs and learn the importance of
- Developing leadership skills and personal integrity
- Demonstrating
helpfulness and respect for others
- Understanding the value of individual responsibility and hard work
- Advancing
international understanding and goodwill
As one of the most significant and fastest-growing programs of Rotary
service, with more than 10,700 clubs in 109 countries and geographical areas, Interact has become a worldwide phenomenon.
Almost 200,000 young people are involved in Interact.
