President's Day and Handover 2015
President Ronnie concluded his year at his President's Day held 29 June at the Royal Belfast Golf Club. Always the highlight of the Club's year and this year's proved to continue that tradition being greatly enjoyed by all. 6 members played golf during the afternoon and 72 members and guests enjoyed chatting on the terrace and the newly refurbished bar areas.
After dinner Paul Harris Fellowships were awarded to members recognising their significant contributions to the work of the Club.
The citation for PP Alan Rundle was made by PP Adrian Kerr highlighting his heritage as a 3rd Generation member and the excellent support he had been to him during the Centenary year being always calm and on hand. He reflected on his support for MT4Yth, the changes he had made to the Club in particular setting up the Grub Club and Rotary Ramblers and giving of his time fundraising and especially supporting the 100,000 Vision Aid spectacles collection and going to Ghana with a Vision Aid team of optometrists to provide training to local optometry students.
Fred Sweeney's citation, made by PP Albert Baird, reflected on his exceptional 40 years service noting that he was one of the longest serving members and one of the most regular attendees. He particularly pointed out that the long serving members are the backbone of the weekly meetings and that he was one of those who meet before the meeting to socialise and made all visitors feel very much at home.
A Sapphire Paul Harris Fellowship was awarded to PP Brian Clements reflecting his exceptional service and outstanding contributions to the life and work of the Club. This popular Award received a standing ovation.
PP Bryan Johnston in his citation highlighted that PP Brian gave generously of his time, hospitality and allowed us to share in his exceptional skills particularly through his superb annual weekly commitment to the Boys' Camp – which would not have operated as it did without him; his active support for TABU and his enthusiasm and commitment to Mitchell House School and YouthAction programmes. He and Rosie always offer their own home to host; he organises and ensures the future of the Kingston Club visits and as a master chef he has ensured we have enjoyed ourselves at his many BBQs whilst raising funds to enhance other lives. Having been reluctant to become President he carried out his year with consummate aplomb and still remains a very active Community and Vocational Chair.
President Ronnie presented the golf prize and the MacNab Trophy to Chris Warnock noting that as he was a member of Royal Belfast "local knowledge" obviously had helped!
Handover 2015
President Ronnie noted that it was wonderful to see so many friends; it had been an honour to be the 104th President and that he and Doreen had had a wonderful year during which Service Above Self had been widely apparent. He particularly mentioned those who helped with the Charity collections and the:
- Fund Raising BBQ and Jazz Lunch – PP Brian Clements and team
- Social events - Doris Houston – he also thanked her for her generous donation to ShelterBox's Nepal Appeal following her paintings exhibition
- Speakers -Treasurer Ivan McMinn
- Grub Club evenings - PP Alan Rundle and Eileen Kennedy
- Youth Leadership Competition – PP Brian Ferguson
- Foundation – PP Derek Baxter
- Weekly Report –PP David & Jenny Boyd
- Membership – especially for the 2 new Corporate members – PP Maurice Brooks
He pointed out that it had been an unusual year in that both the District and RIBI Conferences had been held in Belfast and the Belfast Club had been well represented with members attending. The Club had followed the World President on stage to give a presentation to the RIBI Conference on some of the Club's activities. He thanked the 3 presenters and Jenny Boyd for this.
He hoped the Club would continue to build the relationship with YouthAction with members giving freely of their time believing that, as Rotarians, members have much to offer and he thanked Eric Rainey for his work. He noted that the Club had hosted the 24th TABU Exchange and that 20 members had been involved during the week. He thanked PP David Boyd for his organisation and the interesting and intensive programme.
He thanked Treasurer Ivan noting that it was comforting to have Club finances in such safe hands highlighting that he had reclaimed from Inland Revenue the wonderful sum £4,640 and Secretary Alvin for always being organised, unflappable and having great attention to detail; he had made his year a really enjoyable experience.
He thanked all who had been involved in the many aspects of the Club, all members and Council for their support and Doreen for her support, help and advice.
Thanking him for standing in for this year he then handed over the Chain of Office to President Ronnie Porter who stated that he was deeply honoured to have been invited to undertake the role of President of the Rotary Club of Belfast for the incoming year noting that looking at the list of names on the impressive Chain highlights the calibre of the individuals who have served this Club so ably in the past.
President Ronnie welcomed Joint Presidents of Inner Wheel Judy Hinds and Rosie Clements and wished them well for their year. He also welcomed his personal guests Joan & Ted Boyd.
He presented President Elect Ivan McMinn with his Jewel of Office noting that it was great to see him looking so well and wished him continued good health.
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He sincerely thanked Past President Ronnie and Doreen McLean for all the time and effort they had put in to making the past year such a success. A bouquet of flowers was presented by Ivy McKinley to Doreen and PP Ronnie was presented with a compendium of Weekly Reports of his year.
Considering the forthcoming year President Ronnie stated he was fortunate to have the continued support of various Council members and Committee Chairs from last year, hoped that the Club's relationship with YouthAction will develop throughout the year and that he expected to continue to have a mixture of local, international and social programmes.
He asked all to note the events planned from the Weekly Report information and particularly to let the organisers know in good timethat you are attending.
President Ronnie brought the evening to a close highlighting 2 planned events: Tuesday 1 September – the joint meeting with the Rotary Club of Dublin and Friday 25 – Sunday 27 September – the District Conference in Cork and asked members to support them.
As it was Elma's birthday she was presented with a personal bouquet from him by Ivy McKinley.
Gallery
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