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captions:
Officers, Board: From left: President Douglas Porter, Immediate Past President Amanda Kelly, Board of Directors members Crystal Simonson, Pam Brown and Jennifer Brytowski; Treasurer Fred Chmura and Secretary Martha Paquette. Linda Lemmon photo.
Andrew and Emily Morrison. Richard Naumann photo.
John Rauh, left, and Ronald P. Coderre. Richard Naumann photo.
President Doug Porter congratulates outgoing president Amanda Kelly. Richard Naumann photo.
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM — The Putnam Rotary Club began its 102nd year of Service Above Self June 25 with the award of three prestigious Paul Harris Fellows and a welcome to its new officers.
All three of the newest Paul Harris Fellows were chosen for their remarkable service to the community.
Rotarian Shawn McNerney is a longtime chair of the Ronald P. Coderre Rotary Golf Tournament which is the primary source of charitable funds raised by the club, said Rotarian Marc Archambault, who nominated McNerney. “His commitment to the club and determination to put on an annual golf tournament that is a model for others and appreciated by all who participate, is unwavering. In this, he exemplifies the Rotary motto of Service Above Self.” He added that McNerney has guided the committee with a steady hand and it has raised more than $400,000 in the last 12 years.
Emily Morrison, director of development for United Services Inc., also won a Paul Harris Fellow award. Husband and Rotarian Andrew Morrison nominated her and said: “I nominated Emily for the Paul Harris Fellow Award because she embodies the Rotary ideal of ‘Service Above Self’ in every aspect of her life. From her professional work raising millions for community health initiatives to her personal commitment as a volunteer and leader in local non-profit organizations, Emily’s diligent service has positively impacted many people in our community. I am grateful to the Putnam Rotary Club for recognizing her many contributions to the Quiet Corner with the esteemed Paul Harris Fellow.”
The third Paul Harris Fellow awarded June 25 went to John Rauh. Rotarian Ronald P. Coderre, who nominated Rauh, said the award honors “People who exhibit the qualities of compassion, kindness and benevolence and who are generous and philanthropic in nature. People who espouse Rotary’s motto of – ‘Service above Self.’ Our recipient is a person who not only possesses these qualities but lives by the motto every day. Quiet, hardworking and unassuming, he’s like the cream in the old-fashioned milk bottles (for those of you who can remember) — he has a knack of rising to the top.” Rauh serves northeastern Connecticut in a multitude of ways, most recently as campaign general chairman of the Roseland Park/Golf Course Legacy Campaign “150 Years and Beyond.”
In addition to the prestigious Paul Harris Fellow awards, the club welcomed its new officers: President Douglas Porter, President-Elect Kathy Kirk, Secretary Martha Paquette, Treasurer Fred Chmura and Sergeants-at-Arms Jonathan Tremblay and Jonathan Sturdevant.
The Board of Directors includes the officers plus Jennifer Brytowski, Crystal Simonson, Pam Brown and Immediate Past President Amanda Kelly.
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