The Rotary Club of Fonthill held its annual Board Changeover Event at Domenic’s on 20 this Wednesday June 26.
In addition to the formal induction of a new President, and confirmation of the Board for 2024-25, a Paul Harris Fellow was presented to Community Member Mike Chechalk, who was unable to attend the annual Paul Harris evening earlier in the month due to travel. Mike was awarded a Paul Harris Fellow in recognition of his extensive volunteer work in Niagara, particularly in the farming community and 4-H. Mike was instrumental in the organization of the Rotary Club of Fonthill Niagara Family Farmfest in 2023.
The Paul Harris Fellow is the highest award The Rotary Foundation bestows. The Club now has 22 Paul Harris Fellows.
Incoming Board of Directors
President – Collins Acheampong
Past President – Carolyn Mullin
Secretary – Annie Holtby
Treasurer – Randy Momot
Club Service Chair – Mel Groom
Rotary Foundation Chair – Annie Holtby
Membership Chair – Frank Adamson
Public Image Chair, Executive Secretary – Dave Schulz
Director at Large – Finance – Ann Harrison
Director at Large – Finance – Hugh Graham
Fundraising Chair – Paul Snack
Youth Services and Youth Exchange – Mike Taylor
Past President – Carolyn Mullin
Secretary – Annie Holtby
Treasurer – Randy Momot
Club Service Chair – Mel Groom
Rotary Foundation Chair – Annie Holtby
Membership Chair – Frank Adamson
Public Image Chair, Executive Secretary – Dave Schulz
Director at Large – Finance – Ann Harrison
Director at Large – Finance – Hugh Graham
Fundraising Chair – Paul Snack
Youth Services and Youth Exchange – Mike Taylor
Links
- About Rotary Club of Fonthill
- Changeover Event Photo Album
- Rotary Foundation Information
- Paul Harris Fellow Recognition
Significant Activities from 2023-24
Outgoing President Carolyn Mullin shared the following significant events and community contributions from the 2023-24 Rotary Year:
- Canada Day – July 1, 2023
- Summerfest
- Bandshell Concert Sponsorship
- Suppermarket Service
- Summerfest Rotary Arches – Official Opening
- Golf Tournament with Welland Rotary
- Sold-out Purse Bingo
- Interact Food Drive for Pelham Cares
- Remembrance Day Wreath Laying
- Town of Pelham Volunteer Recognition
- Rotary Auction Niagara
- Temperanceville Miniature Village
- Club Social Holiday Dinner
- Food4Kids Niagara Fundraiser Family Skate at the MCC
- Welland Rotary Curling
- Kinsmen Pelham Citizen of the Year Celebration
- Strategic Planning with Leadership Niagara
- Food4Kids food packaging
- Earth Day Tree Planting Initiative and Great Lakes Watershed Cleanup
- Rotary District 7090 Conference
- Tim Hortons Smile Cookie Decorating for Wellspring Niagara
- Paul Harris Fellowship Awards Evening
Significant Financial Support to the Pelham Community
- Scientists in School - $1,500
- Golf Tournament proceeds to the Niagara Children's Centre - $15,289
- Canadian Ukrainian Congress - $1,500
- Purse Bingo Proceeds with $4,500 to Niagara Nutrition Partners, and $4,500 to the Pathstone Mental Health Satellite Clinic at the Meridian Community Centre in Pelham.
- E.L. Crossley Rowing – regatta Fuel Up stations - $1,000
- First Ontario Performing Arts imPACt education series - $1,000
- Pelham Cares programming - $500
- Summerfest Rotary Arches – approx. $233,000 raised for Raise the Arches campaign
Incoming President Changeover Speech
Incoming President Collins Acheampong shared his vision for the coming year:
This past year as a Rotarian has been enjoyable for me. I have loved being part of this club, although it took nearly eight months to grasp everything fully.
While we had a fantastic year, our club faces significant challenges, and I urge everyone to rise and embrace these challenges. These include recruiting new members, retaining existing members, securing adequate funds for our operations, and managing workload burnout, among others.
The needs of our community and the world will not diminish; in fact, they will intensify, calling us to serve our community year after year. Amid these challenges, we must resolve to be patient while diligently pursuing opportunities and partnerships to increase our impact, expand our reach, enhance member engagement, and boost our adaptability.
Although we are small, we are mighty. Nothing should deter us if we continue to stick together, support each other, and perform our club roles to the best of our abilities. I strongly believe this will reduce burnout and bring excitement to our club when everyone is engaged in some capacity.
Membership and community service should be our top priorities. I aim to see three new members join by the end of my term as president and to ensure everyone has the best experience in our club, including our visitors and guest speakers.
I also hope each member will enhance their knowledge in their respective roles through continuous education. I would like to serve as our club's correspondent for international service.
Additionally, I intend to join Annie, the foundation chair of our club, to learn more about the Foundation. My passion is to bring greater awareness of the various ways we can all contribute to the Foundation. I'm already looking forward to next year's Paul Harris event and can't wait to celebrate the wonderful accomplishments of our members and community partners who consistently go above and beyond.
Thank you all for choosing to be Rotarians and for being incredible individuals who strive to help others thrive. I look forward to a fruitful, fun, and exciting year with you all. Let's illuminate the magic of Rotary, starting today, and put it on full display in the coming Rotary year.
