Outgoing Northbridge Rotary President Derek Matz said it was really humbling to have been President of the Northbridge Rotary Club, a position held in high esteem in every community and club around the world.
The past 12 months have been “A Good On Ya” year and Rotary has continued to play a part in many community and international projects.
One of the highlights of the year was the Visioning exercise with all members contributing to the development a clear Vision (strategic plan) for the Club for 2023.
President Derek also praised the Club’s members for their continuing loyalty, service and willingness to volunteer in their busy lives. He congratulated his Board for their hard work and presented Geoff Duggin, a long-term member, with a Paul Harris Fellowship Award.
His final task was to initiate the Incoming President, Ranald Stewart.
Ranald has been a member of Northbridge Rotary since 2008 and has played a pivotal role in the running of the club. He has held the position of Director of most if not all the committees of the club, the last being Foundation. He is also a Paul Harris Fellow.
Ranald is a long-term Northbridge resident. He is a former small business owner and has been an active swimmer and cyclist. With his wife Marillyn he has been extremely supportive within the Northbridge Community of local sporting clubs and organizations with the objective of preserving the suburb has a most desirable location to live.
In his Incoming address Ranald referred to Barry Rassin (President of Rotary International 2018-19) when presenting his incoming theme “Be the Inspiration” He stated that globally Rotary is more relevant than ever before and its potential for good is vast.
He notes that unfortunately not enough people fully understand what Rotary is and does. Rotary service transforms lives and communities. To achieve even more of that truly transformational service it needs to think differently about Rotary’s role in the world. It needs to put more emphasis on it’s public image, using social media to build our membership and attract partners (and new younger members) that can help us scale up our service.
