Our first meeting of 2021-22 featured incoming President Courtney’s inaugural address to the membership along with her induction as President and the induction of the Board by AG Milica.
It was also our first true hybrid meeting with 17 meeting in person (referred to as the "roomies") in Rotarian Marc’s backyard and seven "zoomies" attending from Peterborough, Ottawa and St. Catharines. The meeting was also highlighted with the presentation of a second Paul Harris to Beth in recognition for her work on the Foundation Gala. Happy dollars were retirements, business sold, new grandchild on the way and Marc's new puppy Mr. Bill was there too! Thanks to the Fellowship Committee (Joy, Randi and Bob Miller) for setting it up and to Milica for the after meeting goodies.
For those who missed it, Courtney’s speech is reproduced in its entirety below the photos:
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“As many of you know, Rotary has always been a part of my life for both my parents are Rotarians. For as long as I can remember, I felt like I was being “dragged” to this clean up or that fundraising event. In fact, I am pretty sure there is a picture somewhere of me sitting by the cash box in a beer tent looking very unimpressed.
I did love the social gatherings and meeting exchange students and having everyone make a big fuss over me when I was little. Although, I believe there was one particular night when a social event was being held at my parent’s house, that went on a little later than usual. In fact, I had to phone the house from my bedroom telling those rowdy Rotarians to be quiet as I had school the next morning! But that’s why we stay in it, right? For the laughs? The fun? The fellowships?
I didn’t really understand what Rotary was during those younger years. If you asked me, I wouldn’t have been able to give an accurate description. Just some people who liked to help out in the community. I wasn’t aware of the global presence of Rotary International and all that it does. All that changed when I was selected to go on a Rotary Youth Exchange to Germany. My world widened and so did my understanding of all the good that Rotary does. Like most exchange students, I came back a changed person knowing one day, when I was older, I would join Rotary to make a difference in the world but my time was not yet. Besides, isn’t that who Rotarians are? Older people?
In October 2019, when my mom was District Governor, she invited the whole family up to Deerhurst Resort in Huntsville to attend her district conference. I thought it would be a fun weekend away with the kids. Unexpectedly, I ended up attending all the speeches and presentations and helping out with a service project, being changed by Rotary once again. But this time, I was ready.
As soon as I returned back to St. Catharines after the weekend away, I started researching clubs in the area and settled on the Rotary Club of St. Catharines Lakeshore. The fun and friendly dinner club according to the website. I immediately reached out to President Ellen who invited me to the next meeting where DG Melissa just so happened to be speaking. Like most of us sitting in the room that night, I was left inspired by her speech. And I knew this was the right club for me.
I had a great first year as a young Rotarian as President Eric took me under his wing in creating the newsletter. I was also able to volunteer at Trivia, bring my family to a cleanup, and of course, my service trip to Nepal. But just after a year of joining the club, rumblings of Covid 19 began to fill the airwaves and soon after the world was forced into lock down. It was a difficult year that followed for Rotarians. How do you serve your community and the world when you are locked down in your own home? But under the guidance of President Bruce, the club persevered, and finally, here we are today, in person.
And so, as we slowly emerge from our homes and out of lock down, my theme for this year is this - “It’s Time to Inspire”. It’s time to inspire not only ourselves but our fellow club members. For once we inspire our own lives, we can then serve to change the lives of others which is Rotary International President Shekhar Mehta’s theme for the Rotary year - “Serve to Change Lives”. Now more than ever, we need to reach out and enthuse one another to become involved as active Rotarians once again. Because that is who we are, people of action, putting service above self.
As your Club President, I have set forth three main goals for the club this year:
- I wish to focus on membership by making sure our current members feel engaged and inspired and seeking out ways to add new members to our club.
- I wish to continue on with the Strategic Plan and begin the steps to support an International Water project using the Niagara Cluster Grant Fund if approved.
- And finally, I wish to become involved with Rotary International’s new area of focus “Supporting the Environment” by having the club participate in an environmental service project right here in our local community. The earth needs us more than ever and as Rotarians it is time to step up and respond.
To achieve my goals, I cannot do it alone. I want to thank the committee chairs for taking on the role of being leaders in our club and to Milica for her assistance as AG. Thank you to my board who continues to inspire me as I prepare for the year ahead. Thank you to Janet for staying on as Treasure and keeping us on budget and to Ellen who will keep us in line administratively, as she once again joins the board as Club Secretary. Past President Bruce and President-Elect Elaine round out the executive members. Thank you, Phil, for staying on an additional year as Director of Fellowship and Fundraising, and to Elaine who will continue to serve as Director of Foundation and Membership while being President-Elect. Finally, thank you to Al, Director of Youth and World & Community and Coral, Director of Club Admin and Communications for joining the board. I know I will be leaning on you a lot over the course of the year for guidance and advice. And to the club members remember this, as your board, we are here to listen to your ideas and grievances when you have them and to support you in any way we can.
I would also like to thank my family. If I didn’t have the support of Darcy or my children, Emmalena and Rhyland, I wouldn’t be able to follow my Rotary passion. My kids are always excited at the mention of Rotary, although I am pretty sure it is because they still associate Rotary with the Deerhurst kids’ treehouse, play room, and pool! I would also like to thank my parents, Tony and Sue, for introducing me to the world of Rotary as I am not sure I would have found it without them. They inspire me every day and I have learned what a good Rotarian is from watching them. They were also very good at never pressuring me to join Rotary and allowing me to come to it when I was ready. Although, there was a running joke my brother and I would be cut out of the Will if we didn’t join some day!
So, before I wrap this up, I want to pass along a quote from RI President Shekhar Mehta which resonated with me, “Rotary kindled the spark within me to look beyond myself and embrace humanity, Service became a way of life for me and I, like many others, adopted the guiding philosophy that 'Service is the rent I pay for the space I occupy on this earth, and I want to be a good tenant of this earth.’”
Rotary inspires me to do good every day. To serve those around me. And I am excited to serve as your Club President. Thank you”.