Avenues of Service Citation - 2019

 

The Avenues of Service Citation is presented to a Rotarian for outstanding consistent support of the Objects of Rotary through participation in each of the Five Avenues of Service, i.e. Club Service, Vocational Service, Community Service, International Service and Youth Service. This year's recipient is Rotarian Richard Bowness

 

A River John boy, Richard is best known locally as the co-owner of Truro Toyota however he also been a professional photographer, having worked with well know Nova Scotia photographer Sherman Hines.

 

Since he joined the Rotary Club of Truro in 1995, Richard has been active at one time or another in all the avenues of Rotary Service. He was Club President in 2000-2001 having served on the executive for the previous two years as Secretary and Vice President. For several years Richard was PR chair for the club bringing his photographic skill and relationship with the local media to assist in promoting the club.

 

It was Richard (along with his friend and fellow Rotarian Rick Johnson) who is credited with bringing the Rotary Community Yearbook to Truro in 2003 as a fundraiser to fulfill our pledge to the campaign to expand the Colchester Community Workshop and build what has become known as Rotary House.  The Yearbook has continued and is now the club’s major fundraiser.

 

A firm believer in the Rotary International Foundation, Richard received his first Paul Harris recognition in 2003-04 and has since added 6 more to that count. His commitment to the End Polio Now campaign is also well known within the club.  In addition to encouraging support for the program by fellow Rotarians, in recent years his home on Shortts Lake has been the launch point for the club’s Swim for Polio fundraisers.  In addition to ferrying people across the lake in their boat, Richard and Maralyn support the swimmers by providing snacks and refreshment afterward.

 

Richard is also active in the community. He was a member of the Colchester East Health Center Foundation for 8 years including 2 years as chair. Richard also was a volunteer with the campaign to build the new hospital, raising gifts in excess of $100,000.

 

Richard is always interested in the workings of the club.  Even when he is away he is thinking about Rotary, forwarding items of interest and sharing ideas with the club’s social media site.

 

Generous and thoughtful hosts, Richard and Maralyn also open their home on Shortts Lake for the Club’s annual summer social - an event that certainly helps build connections!

 

For years of service to Rotary in our community, Richard Bowness is a worthy recipient the 2018-19 Rotary Avenues of Service Award.