The Rotary Club of Ancaster A.M. recently celebrated its 20th Anniversary. Charter and founding members Len Bick, Gerry Fabri, Murray Ferguson, Adian Kloet, Bruce Pearson, Dr. Frank Stechey, Randy Raphael, J.P. Verbunt, Dan Wentworth and Bob Wolgemuth were honoured by incoming President Dr. Gavin Morphet.

Gavin-Ian-Changeover-20th
Dr. Gavin Morphet - Mr. Ian Barrie
20th Anniversary Changeover
 

by Rick MacKenzie

The Rotary Club of Ancaster A.M. recently celebrated its 20th Anniversary. Charter and founding members Len Bick, Gerry Fabri, Murray Ferguson, Adian Kloet, Bruce Pearson, Dr. Frank Stechey, Randy Raphael, J.P. Verbunt, Dan Wentworth and Bob Wolgemuth were honoured by incoming President Dr. Gavin Morphet.

Since the club was chartered on June 11, 1991, it has made significant contributions to local and international communities. Raising $515,000 in the last five years alone, the club has many achievements connected to its efforts. They include helping to fund the Ancaster Rotary Centre; building a paediatric radiation suite at the Juravinski Hospital Centre; running a successful breakfast program at Dr. Davey School; contributing to the funding of Meals On Wheels; building a water and sanitation system in the Dominican Republic; building water wells in Haiti; yearly donations to the Hamilton Conservation Authority; providing yearly scholarships to students at the high school, college and university level; supporting polio eradication; nine years of involvement in the student exchange program, and much more.

Dr. Morphet acknowledged Rotary International President Kalyan Banjerjee’s challenge to Rotarians this year to “Reach Within To Embrace Humanity”. He then challenged every Ancaster Rotary AM member to reach within and determine what is important as the club shapes its direction moving into its next 20 years.

Dr. Morphet also paid tribute to outgoing club president Ian Barrie and thanked all past presidents for their continued guidance to the next generation of Rotary leaders.

They included Ian Barrie, Dan Wentworth, J.P. Verbunt, Bob Wolgemouth, Bill Hall, Kathryn Smith, Yvonne Turner-Moss, Carolyn Seabrook-Ferguson and Joanne Serkyn.

The new executive for 2011-2012 was sworn in at the ceremony. They included  Secretary - Doris Thompson; Treasurer - Marty Schure; Club Administrative Chair - Dr. Alan Zucker; Community Services Chair - Dr. Tracey McMurter; Fundraising Chair - Dennis Beecroft; Membership Chair - Dr. Frank Stechey; New Generations Chair - Kathryn Smith; Rotary Foundation Chair - Carolyn Seabrook-Ferguson; International Service Chair - Len Bick; Public Relations Chair - Rick MacKenzie; and of course, Past President - Ian Barrie. 

Dr. Morphet highlighted the one thing that makes the Rotary Club of Ancaster A.M. special: “Its commitment to having fun while contributing to the many international and local community endeavours”. 

The Rotary Club of Ancaster A.M. thanks its many sponsors, donors, partners and friends in achieving so much over the last 20 years and looks forward to working together over its next 20 years.

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