On Tuesday our outgoing President Rosemary Doyle formally handed over to our incoming President, Maxine Blades. In turn, Maxine handed over the office of President Elect to Raj Dasan. Rosemary also announced our club’s “Rotarian of the Year”: Gill Dixon.
Rosemary started the meeting, held at the Kent & Canterbury Club, with the Rotarian of the Year award to Gill, who looked totally surprised! “Gill came forward to take on the role of Chief Steward, and has been a great example of service to Rotary”, said Rosemary. Gill, who has been a Rotarian since 2009, received the award from Rosemary with visible delight, recounting that “joining Rotary was the best thing I ever did. There are just so many lovely people here”.
Rosemary then gave final thanks to all who have served so well over the past year, especially PE and Secretary Maxine Blades, treasurer Jim Gascoyne, finance officer Graham Bough, and PPs Martin Ward and Peter Hermitage and all on Club Council. “I find it had to say how much I appreciated that support,” she declared, adding “it’s been an extraordinary experience!”
Rosemary then handed over the collar (chains of office) to Maxine, who took the opportunity to acknowledge all of Rosemary’s efforts over the year. She in turn presented Rosemary with a Past President badge. She also passed the President Elect collar and badge to Raj Dasan, joking “You can’t back out now” as she did so.
Giving a few words to gathered members as she looked at the collar listing past presidents, Maxine stated: “I’m very aware of the heritage this brings. I know several of the older names here from over the years.” She also laughed at how, when she had joined she had been told to “give it 6 years” until she became President – but only 5 had elapsed!
Maxine reminded us all that we need to look at what else we can be doing to keep service and fellowship up, and highlighted some of the upcoming treats and activities we have – including the Canterbury Show, a fundraiser for the Prince of Wales Youth Club with BBC Antiques Roadshow glass specialist Andy McConnell, a Bat & Trap event in August, and of course our big fundraiser and community event, the Annual Duck Race in Westgate Gardens in September.
Picture: Outgoing President Rosemary Doyle hands over the Presidential collar to incoming President, Maxine Blades. Picture credit: Rotary Club of Canterbury.
