Four-time Paul Harris Fellow Rotarian Calvin Hall and his family listen to District Governor David Waechter’s remarks about the meaning of the Paul Harris Fellowship. (MNJ photo/Juliana Walker)
SPRUCE PINE — The Rotary Club of Spruce Pine held its annual Paul Harris Fellowship Award event on Thursday, Oct. 1 at The Orchard at Altapass.
Usually just a handful of people are awarded the fellowship, but this year 14 Rotarians and four non-Rotarians were given the honor.
The award, which is named after the founder of Rotary, can be earned through monetary donations or service to the club.
Non-Rotarians can be gifted the fellowship by a Rotarian donating $1,000 or more to the Annual Programs Fund, PolioPlus or the Humanitarian Grants program.
“When you donate that $1,000, you’re supporting not just global projects, but local projects for people in need,” District Governor David Waechter said. “Thank you for the continued support of the most honorable, charitable organization, the Rotary Foundation.”
Chuck Shelton, the current president of the club and Paul Harris Fellowship recipient, said all of the Rotary members who received the award this year earned it.
“In the Rotary Club it’s service above self, so for all of our Rotarians receiving the award, they are earning it based on their service to people in our community and outside our community,” Shelton said. “It really is a great example of what being in Rotary is all about.”
Each new Paul Harris Fellow receives a commemorative certificate and pin and multiple recipients receive a different type of pin based on the level which goes up to nine levels.