Rotary Club of Belfast

President's Day 2018

01.pres day03. EveningSunPresident Rosemary concluded her year at her President’s Dinner held 25 June at the Royal Belfast Golf Club. Always a highlight of the Club's year and this year's relaxed and convivial evening was again greatly enjoyed by the 60 members and guests.

On a sun-filled evening after drinks in the bar areas President Rosemary welcomed all especially PP Marnette Lyons, her daughter Karen Mbayo, sister in law Pat and Ellen Boyd. She noted apologies from District Governor Garth Arnold, District Assistant Governor Roland Bailie, Hon. Secretary Crawford McIlveen, Hon. Treasurer David Warnock and William Cross.

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After grace there was a short moment of silence for members to remember Past President Brian Byers.

06. TheWinningShotOnItsWay10. TimOverallWinnerSeveral members took part in the putting competition, PP Alan Rundle and IPP Ivan McMinn both recorded scores of 1 under par and after an exciting play off IPP Ivan took the prize. 5 members played golf in the afternoon and with a score of 36 points Tim Browne retained the MacNab Trophy, Chris Warnock was runner up with 31 points. President Rosemary presented prizes to all winners.

Paul Harris Fellowships were bestowed on PP Ronnie McLean and IPP Ivan McMinn recognising their significant contributions to the work of the Club. PP Ronnie McLean’s citation made by Past President Ronnie Porter, reflecting on his outstanding service and support of projects, noted that “he was one of the most obliging Rotarians” and a most worthy recipient. IPP Ivan’s citation, made by PP Gordon Millington, reflected on his passion for Rotary and all he had done since joining in 2009, being Treasurer for 5 years and undertaking the Visioning process; he also noted that incredibly in these times of adversity he had raised in excess of £200,000 for charity and was very deserving of the Fellowship.

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18. MichaelSamuelsMichael Samuel, a locally based most accomplished singer who entertained the Club at the Christmas Dinner, came back by popular demand and treated everyone in 2 sessions with beautifully performed favourite songs.

19. PresRosemaryMovesToPHFs2Addressing the Club, President Rosemary emphasised that it had been most enjoyable, wonderful and busy and thanking all who were involved reflected, often, with anecdotal insights, on particular highlights:

  • the District Conference was a hectic few days and a hospitality marathon
  • the 60th Anniversary of the outbreak of Poliomyelitis in Belfast, Dublin and Cork was a whirlwind of press/radio interviews and a tv chat show; she was privileged to have been a part of it and had even been a Daily Mirror ‘page 3’ girl!
  • Shelterbox at the City Hall raised a lot of interest and was supported by the Lord Mayor
  • Christmas brought the the Salvation Army/St Vincent de Paul Appeal and the Mitchell House Xmas Party and the Kids Out Day was held at the Belfast Activity Centre
  • the association with YouthAction continuing and working well
  • the Silver Line Lunch which raised nearly £5,000
  • the TABU team, so full of enthusiasm, did the Club proud and the Inaugural Meeting of the new Interact Club has been held - the first Interact Club we have had in Belfast

She expressed her thanks to the Officers, Council members and Convenors for their support and encouragement and all members for their efforts hoping that they had enjoyed the year with the 2nd female President in 107 years. Thanking Jenny Boyd she asked Doris Houston to present her with a bouquet of flowers and particularly expressed her thanks to her most loyal helper and supporter, Doris and IPP Ivan for all his support, "always being there from start to finish".

President Rosemary concluded that she had enjoyed her year and thanked for the opportunity to have “a year to remember” and asked all to please support President Mark who will be a tremendous President.

20. PEMarkCongratulatesPresRosemaryPresident Elect Mark reflected on all her attributes concluding that overwhelmingly she had been a ‘caring’ President which had been apparent in all she had done. He highlighted her involvement with the Polio Anniversary and noted that PP Bryan Johnston had commented that her speech “was the best Rotary speech ever given”. He thanked her for her generosity opening her home and reflected on how family meant a lot to her. He concluded that “Michael Samuels had brought soul into the room but President Rosemary had brought soul into the Club”.

President Rosemary closed the evening by thanking all for coming, PP David Boyd for organising the venue, Michael for singing and Doris Houston for her organisation.

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