In 1957, Rotary International established the Paul Harris Fellowship as a means of recognizing Rotarians who have made a significant contribution to their Club and, subsequently, extended to non-Rotarians who have made a difference in their community and the world.
For each US$1,000 donated to the Rotary Foundation, a person is recognized and, on Wednesday, May 29th, Southampton Rotary Club recognized six recipients with Paul Harris Fellowships.
Connie Barker has a long history of community involvement that included General Manager of the Port Elgin Chamber of Commerce and extensive development of the award-winning Pumpkinfest. In prior years, with the Port Elgin Kinettes, she was Kinette of the Year twice and the first to become Zone J Convenor for the region from Kincardine to Haover, Walkerton, Chesley, Paisley and Port Elgin. She was also recognized in 2019 with the Festival Ontario Volunteer of the Year Award. Barker also co-founded the Shoreline newspaper that became the Shoreline Beacon. Today she teaches the ‘customer care program’ at local high schools and is currently President of the Chantry Senior Centre.
Jim Stark, a long-time resident of Southampton is a “dedicated father and grandfather and his family is his highest prioirity”. He has also been a mentor to the Longmire boys so they can live independently in the community. He is a long-time member and Warden of St. Paul’s Anglican Church. Stark has also been a generous supporter of Rotary Winterama and Easter Seals and is the official driver for Rotary’s Christmas Parade float.
Charlie Bell, a musician extraordinaire, was a music teacher at Walkerton Secondary School, Supervisor of Music for Bruce County and then the entire Bluewater District School Board (BWDSB). Following retirement, his love of music continued as he formed the Southampton Jazz Club that plays monthly, and the volunteer-driven Big Band Celebration held annually in September for 28 years at venues throughout Saugeen Shores. He and his colleagues have also worked with the Summer Music Program where young musicians are given opportunities to development their musical instrument skills.
Rotarians Cathy Janveau and Wendy Buckley were also recognized with a Paul Harris Fellowship for their many volunteer activities both with the Southampton Rotary and the community. Janveau has been a volunteer coordinator for the Food Bank, a member of Southampton Hospital Auxiliary, a member and Warden at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, a volunteer at PRANCE equestrienne centre and is President Elect for Southampton Rotary. Buckley, a former high school Phys. Ed. teacher has been active with Rotary helping to organize the Shred’N’ Go project, on the Golf Tournament Committee, re-lettering of Rotary signs and working at various fundraising events. In the community, she has been a long-time director of the Southampton Tennis Club that received the Ontario Tennis Association’s Outstanding Club Achievement award and often volunteers at Saugeen Golf Club events.
Rob Hughes, past-President during Covid and advocate for Rotary Winterama, has also manager the Club’s District Grant team with successful results for projects such as Mobi Mats for Southampton Beach, horses for PRANCE, planning and execution of the annual Club Golf Tournament and is currently Club Secretary. In the community, Hughes has been Commodore of the Port Elgin Yacht Club and is an avid sailor.
