ROTARY CLUB HANDOVER MEETING
On Thursday 2.7.09 the good spell of summer weather came to an end. So too did Paul Leathem's year as President of The Rotary Club of Donaghadee. In his handover address to the club President Paul said that as he ended his year as President he would like to thank everyone for their support during the year. He particularly thanked the Club Executive, the Club Council, and the Committee Chairmen for their hard work during the past 12 months. He added that it had been a busy year with a variety of social, fundraising events and community projects all of which were well supported with over £9000 having been donated to charity. In addition to the support of the members, the success of many of these events had been dependant upon the support of the member’s families and friends.He said that he was very grateful to his wife Liz for her support and understanding over the past year, as well as that of the other wives, partners and friends who have helped organise and support many of the events. He added that it had been his privilege and honour to serve as President and to his surprise it had also been a great pleasure. He could now see why some Presidents had been reluctant to hand over the chains of office. He concluded by thanking everyone for giving him the opportunity to be President for the past year. Paul then introduced the Incoming President for the Rotary year 2009/2010 President Elect Mike. He described Dr Mike Camlin as being well known to everyone having been a member of the Club since its formation in 1994. At this same meeting last year Dr Mike was sitting safe in the knowledge that he had managed to postpone the inevitable for another year. But time was running out for Dr Mike and at our Night at the Races in November he finally succumbed and agreed to become President Elect for 2009/2010. It said a lot for the character and dedication of the Incoming President that, at short notice in January this year, he was then willing to accept the role of President for 2009/2010.He added that he was certain that the rotary Club of Donaghadee would be in very good hands for the next year, and wished Incoming President Mike every success in his year as President. Paul then put the Official Chain of Office on Dr Mike and handed over the Presidential badge. President Mike addressing the members said “I am not going to make a long speech this evening – I know that would be a very bad start to the year. However there are a couple of things I do want to say. Firstly, I do want you to know what an honour it is for me to become President of The Rotary Club of Donaghadee for the incoming year. I am particularly grateful that you have not held the fact that I hail from Bangor against me. On behalf of us all I would like to begin by thanking Past-President Paul (bet that sounds good-Paul) for all his hard work over the past year. He has set the bar very high in terms of the way he has undertaken his Presidential duties and run the club, I hope to be able to follow his example in the efficient yet informal way he has conducted the meetings, led our outside activities and represented the Club in general. As I said at Club Assembly, I particularly hope to follow his example in a number of initiatives like the Shelterbox Collection, links with Neighbouring Clubs and, now since then, of course, the new Healthy Eating innitative –with salads on the first Thursday of every month! I would like to thank the outgoing Office-Barers and Committee Chairs – some of who are continuing to serve again next year - for all their efforts in support of Paul last year. I would then also want to thank all the members of my new team for agreeing to help me this year. Finally then I just want to thank you all for electing me as President. I can assure you that I will, with your support do my very best for The Rotary Club of Donaghadee”. President Mike then installed Richard Caldwell as President-Elect for the second time. |
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