Rotary Club Presidential Change

The Rotary Club of Ascot changed its president last week at a formal dinner at Northcote House, Sunningdale Park. After the meal, retiring President Ian Valentine awarded Paul Harris Fellowships to two Ascot Rotarians, Colin Corio and David Jones. Paul Harris was the founder of the Rotary movement, and the fellowship award is the highest honour that a club can make to a Rotarian. It is awarded for exceptional service to the Club, to the Community, or to a wider humanitarian cause.

President Ian thanked the Club Officers, Committee Chairmen and Rotarians for their support in so many projects during the year, and presented a flower arrangement to the retiring President of Ascot Inner Wheel, Hilary Corio.

Incoming President David Marshall thanked retiring President Ian for his leadership in the last 12 months, and then spoke of his vision for 2008-9. He warned the membership that the current national economic climate would make fundraising more difficult in the year to come, and that the club may need to lower its targets for charitable giving accordingly.

President David greeted President Beryl Williams of the Inner Wheel of Ascot, who had taken over the Inner Wheel presidency earlier in the week. The two presidents confirmed their intentions to continue the well-established cooperation and coordination on fund-raising and social events during the year.

President David said afterwards “I am looking forward to this Presidential year. The Rotary Club of Ascot is a significant force for good in the local community and I am proud to be leading it.”