Last night, my old Rotary Club in Langley surprised me with an unanticipated accolade – I’m now a Paul Harris Fellow.

The Paul Harris Award is the highest award given worldwide in Rotary, and my club chose to bestow this honour on me in recognition of my contributions to the club website, and the website of another special Rotary event. I was one of three honourees, along with my friend and fellow Member Fred Clark and new club Member Ana Sawatzky, whom I don’t know yet, but she sure has great taste in shoes.

As per the Rotary website, “The Paul Harris Society is named after Paul P. Harris, founder of Rotary International. 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.”

If you are looking for a fulfilling volunteer opportunity, I strongly encourage you to examine your local Rotary Club. Rotary has had a profound impact on my life, and is even responsible for introducing me to my husband of 17 years, as we were introduced by someone in his Rotaract club at the time. Rotary has been not only the most significant and rewarding volunteer opportunity I’ve ever had, but has been a second family for me. I found myself overwhelmed with emotion several times last evening, as I looked around and saw so many friends that we miss so very much since moving to the gulf islands. I only managed to keep it together due to great conversation and fun company. (And, two glasses of wine didn’t hurt.)

To the Members of The Rotary Club of Langley Sunrise, in Langley BC, Canada, thank you so very much for this honour. Please know that I am extremely grateful, and that this award moves me to not just continue, but to expand my involvement within Rotary International.

Sincerely,

-peggy