The honour of being the first female Rotary Club President in the Guelph, Kitchener-Waterloo and Cambridge areas will always be special to me.

The board of directors consisted of Jack Tacoma, Ash Kapur, Diane Squires, Cam Skipper, Larry Henderson, Cindy Robinson, Ralph Marziano and Peter Moore.

I didn’t realize the resistance to women in Rotary until my President’s training weekend when one incoming president suggested that the two women in the district return to their kitchens!  We were both relieved that his attitude was the exception and very quickly this gentleman was put in his place.  We had several men apologize to us throughout the weekend.

My year was so exciting as the leg work for the Nepal Orphanage was all in place.  I will never forget the first photos of our orphanage in block and stone with those precious children so safe and warm and fed.  All over one man’s dream: Jim Thompson.

I was so very proud to present our Club’s first Paul Harris Award to Jim Thompson for all his work connecting us with Nepal and realizing our first International project.  Jim was the guest speaker at my President’s Night and there was not a dry eye as he walked us through the orphanage project, room by room, child by child.  All our efforts at raising the funds, which at times seemed overwhelming, were forgotten as we marveled at what we had created.

I am so grateful to belong to such a special group and look forward to many more exciting projects.

My interest in Rotary dates back to 1975 when I became a member of the Rotarian’s group in Drayton, Ontario.  We met several times a year to assist our husband Rotarians with all projects and activities.  I remember one meeting went on very long as we had to decide to purchase new pots and pans so the church ladies, who cooked each Wednesday evening, wouldn’t complain about the condition of the Town Hall kitchen.  It was passed and shiny new pots were soon delivered.

I was very involved with youth exchange and David was the District 6330 Coordinator for years.  I attended all District meetings and helped organize many events for the students.  We also hosted each year and loved the interaction with those exchange students from around the world.  With two little children, I also appreciated an extra hand at home.

Moving to Guelph, I really missed Rotary and was delighted when David started a new club and we again were involved with so many activities and students.  When Jack Tacoma called me and discussed my interest in joining Rotary, there was no hesitation, as I believe in all the work Rotary does.

David and I have visited Rotary clubs all over the world and enjoy making new friends and visiting old friends.  I certainly look forward to many exciting years with Rotary, the best service club in the world.