Paul Harris Fellowship Awards

Generally these awards are made by the President before handing over the Presidential Jewel to the Vice President.  At the Presidential Handover on 28^th June, this protocol was however changed with President Mandy Davis making the award soon after receiving the Presidential Jewel.  This was because the recipient of an award was Immediate Past President Ann Reed.

President Mandy said “How can we thank President Ann enough for all her energy, compassion and good humour in the  various roles she has played in our Club?  On top of this we all greatly admire the really positive spirit she has shown in the face of severe adversity.  All of us are grateful for her bravery In becoming, not only the first female member of our Club but also it’s first female President.  She was also the first female to join and eventually lead her Rotary Club in Bangladesh.”

“In Rotary we have a way of recognising outstanding Rotarians and Ann is outstanding.  In view of her double achievement in encouraging the role of women in Rotary, Seaford Rotary is pleased to present Ann with it’s highest award - a ‘Paul Harris Fellowship’.”

“We are also grateful to her husband Rodney for all the support he has given to both her and the club. They are an excellent team.”

President Mandy then presented the award of a ‘Paul Harris Fellowship’ to Immediate Past President Ann Reed.

It is not unknown for ‘Paul Harris Fellowships’ to be like London buses, none occur and then two come along.  Last year no award was made, but this year President Mandy Davis presented a second award.

Mandy continued “As my first act as President, I also wanted to recognise the achievement of a particular Rotarian.  I was amazed to discover that he had not been presented with an award recognising his contribution to the Club.  I am talking of Paul Vaesen.”

Seated next to Mandy, Paul’s face was a study of surprise.

Mandy continued “Paul also deserves to be a Paul Harris Fellow.  He is a very modest member of our Club but his role in leading the Youth Service Committee, supported well by members of his team, has been exemplary.”

Paul is not happy unless we are running every youth competition of which I have heard, and even some I have not!  Even during COVID he did everything possible to keep the committee going.”

“Every youth event that he organises has detailed planning, professionalism and good levels of  participation by young people.  Consequently, Paul has done much to spread the good word of Rotary across the schools and as a result, our town.  The support given to reading and maths by Rotary is much appreciated by the schools.  On top of this Paul has developed good working relationships with a range of Youth Groups and the local council.”

“He led the development of the Phillip Moorey award for ‘Young Citizen of the Year’ and has become a trustee for the “Youth Counselling Project’ charity.”

“In spite of this enormous workload he also supports other Rotary activities fully and as with Ann, has been a superb role model to newer members such as myself.”

“For these reasons “President Mandy continued “It gives me great pleasure to award a Paul Harris Fellowship to Paul Vaesen.”