The newest recipients of the Walter P. Willms New Rotarian Leader Award and the Eli Goldin Ideal of Service Award were announced. Students spoke on behalf of the impact the Peace and Literacy Committees have had at Dougall Public School.
Club Awards are always a much-anticipated program. Congratulations to Joel Rocheleau, the newest recipient of the Walter P. Willms New Rotarian Leader Award and to Gary Wintermute, recipient of the Eli Goldin Ideal of Service Award.
Mike Drake explained that the Walter P. Willms New Rotarian Leader Award was developed to recognize Walter's substantial contributions to the Club. "The recipient will be reflective of a new Rotary Leader in the Club who has distinguished herself/himself in Service Above Self."
Robert Maich introduced the Eli Goldin Ideal of Service Award, and Charles Clark spoke of what Eli Goldin did not only for the Club, but for many programs and groups within the community. Eli personified the Rotary motto of Service Above Self throughout his time in Windsor, and upon his death, the Club initiated the "Ideal of Service Award”. This award is recognized annually to those who have served others throughout their lives.
Also on the program, President Nominee Cindy Duggal introduced students to speak on behalf of the impact the Peace and Literacy Committees has had at Dougall Public School. The committees have created a program that involves having children from different countries perform the same activities and then communicate via Skype (software that enables video conversations) to discuss - and just talk! The intention of the program is to expose children to different cultures; the thought is that peace comes with understanding. The more people interact with one another - and understand each other - the more likelihood for peace. So far, the program has involved children from Canada (Windsor) and the United States (Detroit). Clinton Beckford gave a recap of his programs; children in Tanzania have also done the same activities and it is the intent of the committees to do a Skype video between students in Windsor and those in Tanzania as well. Clinton also discussed the success of his literacy programs in Jamaica. Ryan Mancini recounted the programs the committees have been involved in.