The Paul Harris Fellow recognition was established in 1956 and is named after Rotary's founder, Paul Harris, a Chicago lawyer who started Rotary International with three business associates in 1905. A Paul Harris Fellow is the highest form of recognition that a Rotary Club can bestow on a Rotarian who has made outstanding contributions to the Club, community and the world. It acknowledges individuals who make significant contributions to the Rotary Foundation and who share in the spirit of Service Above Self. The Paul Harris recipient goes above and beyond. Today, President Peter has the honour and pleasure of recognizing three incredible individuals from within the Rotary Club of Belleville who have done exactly that. Pictured here with Garth Stephanson and Dave Albert
The Rotary Club of Belleville recognizes two Past Presidents for the anniversary of 50 years of Rotary service.
Past President Bob Burns joined Rotary in January 1973, a very fine year as it is the year that Sunderland AFC (as underdogs) went on to beat Leeds United and take the FA Cup. This would be the very year that Bob Ord was President of our Club, a 60 year Paul Harris Fellow recognized earlier this year. Bob Burns was the club's youngest President during the 1978-1979 Rotary Year just 5 years after joining Rotary. Bob said he met a lot of great friends through Rotary and admires the Club for all the work they do. He made special mention of the Satellite evening meeting group as he was very involved.
Past President Garth Stephanson joined Rotary in January 1974 when Past President Kristin Crowe's father was President. Some people may know that Garth and Bob were room mates at some point -- wouldn't you love to be a fly on that wall. Garth followed Bob Burns as Club President the 1979-1980 year. Garth was invited to join Rotary by Neil Britton who is here today as a thank you from Garth. When Garth joined, he was surrounded by members older and wiser, but now 50 years later, recognizes and thanks all Rotarians for the work they do.
Dave Albert joined Rotary a few years later in 1987. Best known over a lot of years, Dave has been and continues in a critical Club role as head cook and magical organizer in the infamous kitchen of Camp Merrywood. Dave has faced some of the greatest challenges known to any Rotarian and that is teaching and turning the likes of Bernie Ouellet, Wayne Dewe and Doug Peterson into finely tuned cooking machines. Every year they come up with nutritious and tasty meals for thousands of Belleville Rotarians over the years. If you haven't tasted this fine food fare, Peter urges you to do so. Dave said Rotary was always a family to him. Camp Merrywood has grown over the years with a great group of people digging in and getting the work done every year. He did point out that he has actually been demoted in the kitchen by Bernie and Wayne who have taken over. Dave just goes with the flow.