President's Day and Handover 2014

01.TerracePresident Ken concluded his year at his President's Day held 30 June at the Royal Belfast Golf Club. Always an exceptional event in the Club calendar, this year's proved to continue that tradition being greatly enjoyed by all. The Handover to President Ronnie McLean followed the dinner.

4 members played golf on the sun-baked course during the afternoon and 80 members and guests enjoyed chatting on the terrace before moving inside for dinner when President Ken welcomed back as a member San Wong and inducted Arlene Gormley as a new member.

Before the handover 3 Paul Harris Fellowships were awarded.

DameMaryReceivesHerAwardFromPresKen

 

A Sapphire Award to Honorary Member Dame Mary Peters DBE who is coming to the end of her term as Lord Lieutenant for the County of Belfast. Member CT Hogg in her citation highlighted her exceptional service to sport, charities and public life and trusted that she would continue to be such a good ambassadress for Northern Ireland for many years.

PresKenPresentsPHFttoMarkDavidsonPresKenGivesPFHFellowToEricRaineyMembers Mark Davidson (left) and Eric Rainey CVO MBE DL received Paul Harris Fellowships recognising their significant contribution to the work of the Club. The citation for Mark Davidson was made by Past President Arthur Boyd highlighting his work as Honorary Secretary 2005-10 and his Youth Service particularly fostering the Club's relationship with Mitchell House. Eric Rainey's citation was made by Honorary Secretary Rosemary Simpson highlighting his public service as a DL and his service to young people both within the Club and through the Duke of Edinburgh Award. She also noted that thanks were due to him for sourcing meeting rooms for Rotaract to allow them to continue as a Club.

Handover 2014

PresKenStartsTheEveningPresident Ken thanked for so many attending especially on such a beautiful day and was especially pleased to see Rotaractors Laura Garland and Andrew Smith. He noted that his objectives at the start of his year were:

He reflected that he was particularly excited with the relationship with YouthAction noting that it was a great reward for all involved and thanked Eric Rainey and Walter Rader for their sterling work in this area.

He thanked all who had supported him during the year - in particular Hon. Treasurer Ivan McMinn, supported by John Williamson, Rosemary Simpson for her fantastic four years as Hon. Secretary, Hilary Gault, Billy McCoubrey and the TABU team and congratulated Joe Hyland on his recent MBE. He wished President Ronnie every success. Before handing over the President's Chain he thanked Jenny Boyd (wife of PP David) for her work and introduced her as an Honorary Member.

Tribute to Immediate Past President Ken Morrison by President Ronnie McLean

PresRonnieInauguralSpeechPresident Ronnie thanked Past President Ken and accepted "the historic chain with pride" noting he was aware of the history and prominent place of The Rotary Club of Belfast in Ireland".

He congratulated Dame Mary Peters, Eric Rainey and Mark Davidson on their "richly deserved" Paul Harris Fellowships. He welcomed new member Arlene and was delighted to see San Wong return and the 1st Corporate Membership. He thanked Immediate Past President Ken for his effort over the past 12 months highlighting:

He congratulated him on his tremendous year stressing his would be a hard act to follow and presented him with his Past President's Jewel and his wife Gilly with a floral arrangement.

He concluded that the Club was in good heart and that he was looking forward to the year ahead continuing PPs Ken and Alan's momentum. He hoped to run social and charitable events together and was excited about the links with Youth Action. However he stressed that the Club was a team and that it was important everyone play a part in the team.

He then presented President Elect Claire Savage with her Jewel of Office.

Vale Honorary Secretary Rosemary Simpson

05.RosemaryReadsCitationForPHFEricRaineySpeaking at the end of her term of Office Secretary Rosemary thanked the 4 President's she "worked with" Brian Clements, Adrian Kerr, Alan Rundle and Ken Morrison. She also thanked Past President's Bryan Johnston for introducing her to the Club and Courtenay Thompson for getting her involved with Flash. She hoped Alvin McKinley would enjoy it as much as she had and concluded thanking Club members for the opportunity given to her.

 

President Ronnie brought the evening to a close highlighting the 2 Conferences to be held in Belfast –District September 2014 and RIBI April 2015 asking members to support them.

Gallery

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