Monday evening’s meeting of the Rotary Club of St. Marys brought together several aspects of what Rotary is all about — welcoming a young person from across the world, recognizing service to our club, and supporting young readers in our community.
Welcome, Lieanne!
Youth Exchange Counsellor Leslie Hall-Edney officially introduced Lieanne, our inbound Rotary Youth Exchange student from the Philippines, to club members.
Lieanne is the Rotary Club of St. Marys’ 56th inbound exchange student since the club joined the Rotary Youth Exchange program in 1972. Over the coming year, she will experience life in Canada while sharing her own culture and experiences with her host families, school, and our community.
The community will also have an opportunity to hear directly from Lieanne at an upcoming Rotary Speaker Series presentation, A Year Across the World. She’ll share her experiences of adjusting to life in a new country, attending a Canadian school, living with host families, and experiencing the challenges and personal growth that are part of a year-long Rotary Youth Exchange.
Recognizing a Year of Service
Past President Ed was recognized for his service as President of the Rotary Club of St. Marys during the past Rotary year.
Assistant Governor Kirk Riehl presented Ed with Paul Harris Fellow recognition on behalf of the club. Named for Rotary’s founder, Paul Harris Fellow recognition is one of the ways Rotary can honour an individual for their contribution and service.
Ed received another distinctive reminder of his year as President when fellow Rotarian Doug Fread presented him with a handcrafted Rotary cane created especially for the occasion.
Supporting Young Readers
Rotarian Diane O’Shea presented St. Marys Public Library CEO Sarah Andrews with the club’s donation toward the purchase of children’s books based on Rotary’s seven Areas of Focus.
The Areas of Focus guide Rotary service around the world: promoting peace; fighting disease; providing clean water, sanitation, and hygiene; supporting mothers and children; supporting education; growing local economies; and protecting the environment.
The donation continues a Rotary Club of St. Marys tradition that began in 2014 of providing children’s books to the St. Marys Public Library — helping young readers explore some of the same issues that inspire Rotary service locally and around the world.