Waterford Valley Rotary applauds two new Harris Fellows
By Mark Squibb
September 29, 2023 Edition
Waterford Valley Rotary Club members Gary Ball and Dennis Rousell joined the ranks of Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela, Pope John Paul II, Ghandhi, and King Charles, among others on Wednesday when they were inducted into the John Harris Fellowship at a Rotary meeting at Smitty’s Restaurant in Mount Pearl.
“One of the highlights of being president of the Rotary Club is the opportunity to recognise a person, or persons, whose life demonstrates a shared purpose with the objective of Rotary, that is, ‘Service Above Self,’” said club president Rick Tiller. “Dennis and Gary have shown exemplary leadership in steering our club to where it is today. The club is 46 years old, and we’re advocating for environmental projects at the Waterford River and for mental health awareness, and the two of these gentlemen have been instrumental in making these causes happen. Dennis and Gary, in my opinion, and in the opinion of a lot of other people, exhibit the true ideals of Rotary, which is ‘Service Above Self.’”
The men were presented with an official certificate from Rotary International and a pin bearing the emblem of the Paul Harris Fellowship.
“This emblem is known all over the world in Rotary,” said Tiller. “If you go to the upcoming international conference in Singapore, people will know what it is. If you go to a Rotary meeting in Ottawa, people will know what it is. If you go to a meeting anywhere, they’ll know you’re a Paul Harris Fellow. It’s one of the most recognisable pins in the Rotary world.”
The Waterford Valley Rotary Club boasts some 16 members, and Tiller said he would like to see more members inducted into the fellowship, which was founded in 1957 in honor of Rotary founder Paul Harris.
“This Club is one of the most committed groups of people I’ve ever worked with,” said Tiller. “And this club is comprised of many members who have decades of Rotarian experience and many who are, in my opinion, deserving of being Paul Harris Fellows.”
Tiller said he believes it possible his club’s entire membership could be inducted into the Fellowship by 2027, when the Club celebrates it’s 50th anniversary. With Ball and Rousell’s induction, the club now has six Harris Fellows.
“I never expected anything like this,” said Ball. “This represents everybody in this room. It really does. It’s because everybody came together and worked together that got this club to where it is here today, and why I’ve got this. I’m very proud of what we’ve accomplished over the last number of years. It’s been a super trip all the way.”
Two members of the Waterford Valley Rotary Club, pictured here with their wives, were inducted into the John Harris Fellowship at a Rotary meeting this week. From left are Marcie Rowsell, inductee Dennis Rowsell, inductee Gary Ball, and Brenda Ball. Mark Squibb photo
