PH Awards '24 - Member Recognition

One of the three ways that a Paul Harris Fellowship may be awarded is for the parent club to use its Foundation contribution points to nominate a particular member of its own club or the community at large. At our 20 August 2024, Summer BBQ at the Waterford Legion, we took the opportunity to recognize three people connected with our Club, each of whom have distinguished themselves in exactly the light that Paul Harris had envisaged.
First, and as sponsored by Past-President Gail Catherwood, we celebrated Rudi Atkinson who has many years of leadership in our club. She is a Past President and has led several of our committees over the years. With that strong background, Rudi's real passion has been in support of our Youth programs, where she has contributed such excellent leadership.
Secondly, and as sponsored by Past-President Louise Schebesch, we recognized Tina & Roddy Millea for their volunteerism; both as a couple and as individuals.  Roddy & Tina have been active leaders in any number of water sports (swimming, sailing), have hosted/sponsored many of our international exchange students, have selflessly gifted to causes near to our hearts and have been wonderful leaders within our Club and in their community. 
By going to the 'Read more ...' tab, you can read more detail in respect of the contributions these three volunteers have made to their communities.
We are so proud of our selfless & generous leaders such as Rudi, Tina and Roddy - they exemplify the RI credo of 'Service above Self'.
 
Roddy & Tina Millea
 
As sponsored by Louise Schebesh who writes as follows;
Tina Millea - In the 10 years Tina has been a member of RCNS, she has been very active with youth services, fundraising and the environment projects. She has hosted 5 long term exchange students, one Wales student, one step exchange student and participated in the Wales exchange as a chaperone. She has actively participated in many fundraisers, even donating vacation times at her cottages as auction prizes. She has been chair of ways and means and is a past board member. She has a busy challenging career and busy personal life but always finds time for her Rotary family. Tina definitely demonstrates “Service above Self”. Tina served as chair of the Sailing School for several years in Port Dover and is also an active sailor.
Roddy Millea - During the 10 years his wife Tina has been a member of RCNS, Roddy has actively supported Tina. Roddy has hosted 5 long term exchange students, one Wales student and one step exchange student. He has donated his time and his plane for a flight excursion as well as use of his personal cottages for silent auction items to help RCNS raise funds. He is a past board member with Canadian Mental Health Services. He was actively involved with Annelise Carr’s swim.

Rudi Atkinson

As sponsored by Gail Catherwood, who was impressed with the piece that Rudi published in our bulletin. Text follows;  "I’ve been a Rotarian now for nearly 18 years having been introduced to Rotary by my daughter who applied for and was accepted into the Youth Exchange Program where she spent a year in Hungary. Attending my first meeting with her I felt so at home and that I was in the company of such like minded people I wondered how I could join. I knew nothing about Rotary. A colleague of mine offered to sponsor me and that was it! I became a Rotarian. Becoming a Rotarian is a misleading characterization. It’s more like I’ve always been a Rotarian without knowing it and now I had a formal channel of expression of ‘Service Above Sell.’ I was formalized into this worldwide organization known as Rotary International. Thankfully. In my nearly 18 years of service I have chaired the Public Image and Youth Services Committees, been President, host mom to three inbound exchange students, counsellor to inbound and outbound exchange students, recruited youth for leadership programs and exchanges, chaired a committee for an adult visit of Rotarians from Welshpool, Wales to our community, chaperoned students to Wales for our former youth reciprocal exchange programs, chaperoned a 31 day cross USA bus trip with 108 foreign exchange students, Youth and Exchange Officer for my club, spearheaded an environmental project to plant over 14K daffodil bulbs on our trail, am working with a subcommittee to develop an art mural gallery below a newly designed and constructed bridge on our trail, participated in a number of club activities and fundraisers, and have sponsored new members. To say I have been enriched by my time in Rotary is an understatement. The Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise is also family, friends, colleagues, like minded people who strive to make the world a better place. I am blessed to be a cog in the wheel of Rotary.

Sponsors