As Tracey Vandervoort's year as President of the Rotary Club of Belleville comes to a close at the end of June, she has taken time to reflect on the moment she first stepped into the role on July 1, 2025 – hopeful, humble and deeply aware of the legacy that Rotary is built on, the power of the community. How Rotary builds and strengthens the community and lives it. Everything the Rotary Club of Belleville has accomplished in Tracey's Rotary Year has been rooted in the one simple idea that community is what makes us (Rotarians) who we are.
President Tracey attended the Rotary International Conference in Calgary in June 2025 and was struck by the sheer scale of connection with 15,000 people from around the world, gathering not just to learn, but to belong. Tracey saw community everywhere in fellowship groups, in shared service projects, in conversation between strangers who felt like old friends. That experience has stayed with Tracey all year and shaped how she approached her year as President. Tracey recognized that the power of community is right here, in the Rotary Club of Belleville, every single week. Not by accident, but because it was built intentionally and together. When we show up for one another. When we reach out to someone new. When we listen with compassion and when we support local dreams and celebrate the people who make our community vibrant. It's quiet gestures that say “you matter, you belong”. Ripples of kindness that reach farther than we can imagine.
The Rotary Club of Belleville is a busy club with many activities, fundraising events, service initiatives, engagement opportunities and administration efforts, too many to list. President Tracey recognizes we are incredibly fortunate to have so many Rotarians who continue to lead, who step forward to take on new responsibilities and who generously share their time and expertise. That makes everything we do possible. Thank you. Thank you and thank you again! Tracey welcomed the newer Rotarians, many of whom have taken ownership of projects and bring fresh energy and ideas, helping the Club to grow, evolve and stay relevant. The people behind the scenes from an Administration point of view who keep the website fresh and running, who communicate effectively, who prepare meeting minutes and bulletins, who greet us at the front desk, who manage technology and who coordinate our facilities. All of these are essential to everything we do. They are seen, they are valued and they are deeply appreciated.
As Tracey passes the torch to incoming President Hazzem Koudsi, her heart is full – full of gratitude for the members' trust, pride in what we have built and hope for what comes next. The message that Tracey hopes will stay with each member is that community is not something we find. It's something we create….with intention, with love and together. If you want a good community, you need to be a good community member and help build it by participating. Wise words from Tracey's daughter that she shared with us.
Tracey went on to present some awards to a few Rotarians, recognizing their contributions in supporting her in the role of President. The Social Committee Chair and Event Planning Extraordinaire Award to Tracy Bray. Personal Coach, Supporter and Mentor to Peter Malone. Hidden Talent Award to Liv Ahlnas and Policy, Procedure Compliance Officer Award to Jo-Anne Wheeler.