Charter Night 2009

The Rotary Club of Truro's 83^rd Charter Night was a great success with approximately 106 people in attendance. The festive crowd was pleased to be on hand for the presentation of the following awards:

Paul Harris Fellow - Garth Coffin

Rotarian of the Year - Jim Goit

Four Avenues of Service - Lorne MacDougall

Community Service Award

Garth Coffin was the lone recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow in 2008---2009, presented to a Rotarian who has gifted the Rotary Foundation with $1000 USD.

In accepting his honour as Rotarian of the Year, Goit offered thanks to three people he felt were key to his involvement in Rotary and to his receiving his award: his wife Barbara, a former club president who introduced him to Rotary; Garth Coffin, his sponsor in 2005, who he thanked for his mentorship; and Herb MacRae, who he said taught him how to be a Rotarian in his every day words and actions.

Lorne MacDougall, considered the patriarch of the Truro Rotary Club, was characteristically humble as he accepted his Four Avenues of Service Award from District Governor Doug Logan. The award, presented to a Rotarian who has MacDougall noted that there were many in the Club he felt more deserving than he was, but offered his sincere thanks for being honoured with the award, considered to be the club's highest achievement. The 64-year club member was noted as having lived a life of service and commitment to his community and to instilling the same values in his children.

One of those children, Chris MacDougall, was on hand to honour his father and to collect his award for Community Service. The award is in its third year and is presented to a non-Rotarian community member for their outstanding service and commitment to their community. MacDougall has been very active in his community, including assisting with the formation of the Marigold Centre, United Way, and his biggest volunteer effort to date, chairing the $26 million to our health campaign for a new hospital for Colchester and East Hants.  MacDougall noted that it's easy to serve your community and give back, especially when it's what you've witnessed in your own home as you've grown up. MacDougall noted he shared his award with about 80 volunteers, some of whom in attendance that evening, who worked with him to ensure the success of the campaign. He reminded the group that the goal hasn't been achieved just yet, but with the support of groups like the Rotary Club, the goal would be met.

Following the award presentations Daren Trudeau, Partnership Coordinator of the Xtending Hope program at Coady International Institute, gave a staggering perspective on the HIV/AIDS crisis in Rwanda and Botswana. As Trudeau spoke, presenting a heartbreaking picture of the realities the disease is creating, he also communicated hope -- that the Xtending Hope Partnership is having a positive impact and that the partnership is able to bring together a diverse group of volunteers with diverse skill sets, thanks to the assistance of St. F. X. University. Following his presentation, Trudeau was presented with an original painting by Bruce McCabe, depicting the St. F. X. campus.

Ken MacDonald
Chair, Charter Night Committee

	Chris MacDougall, Community Service Award winner shown with his father Lorne MacDougall, 4 Avenues of Service Award Winner.
	Garth Coffin, Paul Harris Fellow
	Ed MacDonald, President, Rotary Club of Truro Jim Goit, Rotarian of the Year Doug Logan, District Governor