The Rotary Club of Grimsby has been a vital, local service club for 45 years. One of its most well-known recognitions is the Paul Harris Fellow. Each year, the Rotary Club of Grimsby has recognized at least one Rotarian and one community member who met the high professional and personal standards set by Rotary’s founder Paul Harris. The Rotary Club of Grimsby traditionally honors the recipients at a gala dinner, and they receive a special certificate, a gold pin, and a gold medallion on a blue-and-gold ribbon.
This year, on May 20
th, the Rotary Club of Grimsby pivoted to an online virtual recognition event honouring three community members and one Rotarian. Ov
er hundred one and twenty i
ndividuals, locally and from around the country, attended the event via Zoom. District Governor Frank Adamson was in attendance to congratulate the four recipients. Past District Governor Bob Artis also passed on his best wishes. Member of other Area 5 Rotary Clubs, including Lincoln Rotary, attend to acknowledge departing Area 5 ADG – Jeanette Murphy.
The Paul Harris Fellow recognition event was a combination of pre-taped presentations and live testimonials and acknowledgments. Due to the lockdown, presentations were filmed separately and outside, ahead of the event. A video compilation of the recipients’ backgrounds and the community service they were being honoured for was edited by Grimsby Secondary School communication students. Both videos were played for each recipient and then the recipients had the opportunity to share their comments and thanks live on Zoom. Videos are available for viewing on the
Rotary Club of Grimsby website.
This year’s community recipients are Ken Boichuk (above left), for his leadership with The Grimsby Author’s Series supporting the Grimsby Public Library; Tony
Joosse (above right), for his leadership in supporting the redevelopment of the West Lincoln Memorial Hospital; Bruce Mackenzie (left) for his leadership in developing the former
Biggar Sewage lagoons into the community-accessible Grimsby Biggar Lagoon Wetlands. Rotarian and Assistant District Governor for Area 5, Jeanette Murphy (right) was honoured for her service in that role and her years of support to Rotary’s Youth Exchange program.
Rotary Club of Grimsby President Liz Fisk was the MC for the event and acknowledged the group effort necessary to produce such an event. The student videographers and editors, local volunteer video team members as well as the presenter, recipients, and the Paul Harris Selection committee contributed to the event’s success. Liz said “These four individuals in their special ways have contributed to the high quality of life in Grimsby and the surrounding community. It is an honour for all Rotarians to recognize their accomplishments. Bruce, Jeanette, Ken, and Tony have put community service above themselves, and we know the community will benefit from their commitment for years to come.”
