Welcome

to Havant Rotary Club from

President Jenny Edgell

Well here we are again! Yes, this is the second time I have worn the Presidential chain.

I was introduced to Rotary by Past President Viv Williams and was inducted in 1999 as the first Lady Rotarian in Havant Rotary.  I was Rotarian number 29 and was quickly followed by another lady who, for all good reasons, soon moved on. The fact there were ladies in the Club at all, was the culmination of several years of hard work by the enlightened few! From its beginnings in 1954 the Club met at Lunchtimes and by 2000 this was changed to alternate Lunch and evening meetings. 

At that time, there was a core of members who disapproved of females in Rotary and they sat together each week. My mission was to challenge the status quo, so I took a perverse delight in regularly sitting at this table causing one person to be displaced each time, leaving the remaining Rotarians nonplussed, though far too polite to be in any way offensive! Slowly ruffled feathers were smoothed and good friends made. It seemed no time at all before I was Chair of Club Service and 29 months after joining, I found myself, fast tracked into the role of President in 2002.  I was a novice and somehow always felt I bumbled my way through the year. 

So now in 2017 we have a different club to that of 15 years ago. There has been a splendid influx of new members with ideas and enthusiasm. Today, Havant Rotary has 54 members, including 12 ladies and is the most vibrant of the 70 plus clubs in the Rotary District 1110. So join me for the year ahead, in the exciting roller coaster of Rotary! 

We are always looking to recruit people who share our philosophy of service above self. If you are interested in joining or just want more information, please send an email via the contact form accessible from the   membership enquiry link. Please also feel free to contact me directly at president@havantrotary.org.uk