DONAGHADEE ROTARIANS INDUCT LADY HERMON AS AN HONORARY MEMBER

On Thursday 23^rd April 2009 the members of Donaghadee Rotary Club held a meeting in Grace Neills Donaghadee. The object of the meeting was the induction of Lady Sylvia Hermon MP as an honorary member of the club.

The members and their wives were joined by a number of guests who included: - President Rosemary Mathews and Treasurer Edith White from Cloghey ladies Probus. President Annette Craig and Past President Marion Taylor from Copeland Ladies Probus. President Liz Armstrong and Jean Burrows from Donaghadee Ladies Probus. President Stanley Jackson and Vice President George Aiken from Shoreline Men’s Probus. Les Jones from Donaghadee Men’s Probus. Past President John Gray from Bangor Rotary Club. After President Paul Leathem welcomed Lady Hermon and the guests, the assembled party enjoyed a delightful meal.

After the meal Past President “The Emperor” Mark Brooks introduced Lady Hermon. He opened his remarks by welcoming everyone to his club. He explained that it was not only his job to introduce Lady Hermon, but to propose her as an honorary member. He then recalled how he had first met Lady Hermon in 1995 and since then their paths had crossed many times, in politics, the restaurant and in Donaghadee. He pointed out that she was the wife of the late Sir John Hermon, the mother of two sons, a qualified solicitor and a Member of Parliament. He said that in proposing Lady Hermon he would be responsible and accountable to all present in the coming year, remembering that honorary members are on a yearly contract, renewable on past performance. He pointed out topically that Lady Hermon had paid her own election expenses, does not employ any family members, has no embarrassing emblems on display and has her own party offices. He pointed out that she was educated at Dunganon High School. Since 2006 she has been a member of the Speakers Committee at Westminster and a member of various all-party groups. She has written a guide to EEC Law. She supports many charities including Alzheimer’s and Marie Curie. He concluded his introduction by pointing out that as Rotary is a service organisation, had he had no hesitation in proposing Lady Hermon as an Honorary Member of Donaghadee Rotary Club.

Past President Dermot Thompson then read out the Objects of Rotary.

The Object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular to encourage and foster;

1.   The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service.

2.   High ethical standards in business and profession; the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations; and the dignifying of each Rotarian’s occupation as an opportunity to serve society.

3.   The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian’s personal, business and community life.

4.   The advancement of international understanding, goodwill and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.   

President Paul then inducted Lady Hermon and thereby welcomed her into the worldwide fellowship of Rotary International. He added that he hoped that she would avail herself of the fellowship of this and other Rotary Clubs on a regular basis. He added that he hoped that as she became aware of the powerful force for world understanding and peace that Rotary undoubtedly represents, that she would use her position as a Member of Parliament to spread that important message. Rotary needs all the positive publicity it can get. He then congratulated the members on their choice of such an eminently suitable person to be an Honorary Member.

The new Honorary Member was then toasted.

Lady Hermon in reply said that she was deeply touched to become an Honorary Member of Donaghadee Rotary Club. She said that it was a real honour. She pointed out that the last 6 months had been very difficult for her losing both her husband and her father. This had caused her to prioritise her life, but pointed out that she had not hesitated when asked to become an honorary member of Donaghadee Rotary Club.

Past District Governor Edwin Dunlop then welcomed Lady Hermon to Rotary Worldwide. He pointed out that Honorary Membership is the highest distinction to be awarded by a Rotary Club. He said that he felt privileged as a Past District Governor and another Honorary Member of Donaghadee to welcome her into the wider fellowship of the worldwide Rotary Organisation. He added that he was sure that if Sir John was here he would be justly proud of her latest honour. He added that her membership card entitled her to attend any one of over 3200 Rotary Clubs in over 200 countries and regions worldwide with a membership of some 1.2 million members. He explained that it is a secular organisation, and can be described as a world fellowship of business and professional men and women, united in the ideal of service. He concluded by saying that he was certain that she would find her association with Rotary to be interesting, enjoyable and compatible with her onerous Parliamentary duties.

Lady Hermon then gave a short speech during which she thanked Mark Brooks for his wonderful introduction and stated that she would speak to him later, and correct some of his propaganda. Lady Silvia also thanked Edwin Dunlop for the invitation to visit any club around the world. She said that she was very taken by the objects of Rotary. In particular the friendship and high standards it sets. She said that she would like to make it clear that she had not travelled from her 2^nd or 3^rd home. Had not hired DVDs of any description, nor had she claimed for a fish tank or 32 light bulbs.

She then went on to speak about her early life, and then her work as an MP. She said that her late husband Jack believed in service and would have been proud to know that she had become an Honorary Member of Rotary. She concluded by saying that if Jacks death had taught her anything it is how fragile our lives are. We are here just once to look after each other and to care for one another. She continued I believe very strongly that this is what Rotary stands for.

Lady Hermon said that it had been a wonderful evening of great friendship, great support and great craic; she added that it was an honour to be an Honorary Member of Donaghadee Rotary Club. 

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