A new member of the new Rotary Club of Saugeen Shores was inducted on Thursday evening, March 18th, through a now-normal Zoom meeting.
The new Club started with a roster of more than 30 members and, as with many other service organizations, has actively been seeking younger members.
The first Provincial non-Charter member of Saugeen Shores Rotary to be inducted was Kelsey Kelly. “I am a proud ‘lifer’ at age 34 of Southampton. I was born in the Southampton Hospital to parents Heather and Pat Joint and attended the local G. C. Huston Public School. My husband Adam and I and our two boys began building our new home during the pandemic and we are extremely lucky and grateful to be able to do this and to get to know some pretty awesome builders and vendors. It made us also look more at supporting local and made me want to know how I could contribute more to my hometown. Then, a dear friend of mine suggested Rotary.”
Kelly holds an Honours Degree in Psychology from the University of Waterloo and began work at Bruce Power where she met her husband and became an instructor and where she works today. “My favourite place in the world is our cottage on Manitoulin Island, but I can’t wait to get started in Rotary,” added Kelly enthusiastically.
The newly-formed club has already several upcoming events being organized. On April 24th, Environment Day, the club will be holding a clean-up around Fairy Lake in Southampton working with G. C. Huston Public School, Lake Huron Fishing Club (LHFC) and Saugeen First Nation (SON). They will also be tackling the area around Denny’s Dam. “This is a very important and impactful event,” said President Pat O’Connor.
In addition, renowned local photographer Jennifer O’Reilly will be holding a FUNdraising Family Photo event. “It will be an opportunity for families to have a photo taken in a 20 minute slot on my scenic property. People and families are feeling very disconnected in this time of COVID and this is a chance for them to have a family portrait taken. Of course, it isn’t for a huge extended family which would require an additional sitting.” Details and information are currently being developed.
On July 2nd, the new Club will also hold its first annual golf tournament at Westlinks Golf, which is now a unique 12-hole golf course. “We are looking at this tournament being about fun,” said Rotarian Ed Braun, “with each hole offering a fun activity. Unfortunately, with Covid we are limited to numbers and, therefore, only 96 golfers will be accommodated.”
The new Rotary Club of Saugeen Shores held its Charter night on February 25th. According to Club President Pat O’Connor, “… with many new to the community, an amalgamated Rotary eliminates the choice that people would have to make in joining Rotary between Southampton and Port Elgin. The new club offers a solution to having to make that choice. We are looking at having younger, vibrant members eager to serve the community. Their enthusiasm is infectious and, I know, will invigorate the other members.”