When Bill Evans agreed to take over as president of the Rotary Club of Sackville, it was only supposed to be for a year.
Now, four years later, he was finally able to pass the torch. But not before the club gifted him one of Rotary’s highest honours by recognizing him as a Paul Harris Fellow.
It came as a surprise to Evans, who thought the club had gathered at Cranewood as they do every year to celebrate the outgoing board and welcome the new.
“ I’m delighted that they appreciate what I did,” he said. “I didn’t do it for that, but it’s really nice. I mean, most public service jobs, I do it because I think it’s the right thing to do. I think I should. It can be immensely rewarding, satisfying work. But when people thank you, and apparently sincerely, it’s really touching.”
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Incoming president Helen Kerr, who presented Evans with the honour after receiving one of her own, said he deserved the recognition for his service over the last four years, including bringing the club through COVID.
“ So because Bill exemplifies fellowship and service to the community and a great sense of humor, which is also important, we determined that he would be a very suitable candidate to get a Paul Harris Fellowship.”
And Kerr is certainly not alone in thinking Evans was deserving.
Bill Carroll, who just stepped down from the board and has known Evans for a few years, had nothing but kind words.
 ”He’s a man of solid integrity. He exemplifies Rotary’s philosophy of service above self. He’s a wonderful thinker, a great philosopher, and a good doer, and I think he’s well-deserving of this Paul Harris trophy.”
Paul Harris Fellow
The Rotary Club of Sackville is a group of community members who raise money for predominantly local causes. For just over 10 years, the group has used its weekly 50/50 Gold Mine draw to invest more than $500,000 in local charitable organizations and community projects, like the lookout towers and bridges in the Waterfowl Park.
While the Sackville chapter started in 1931, the first Rotary Club was founded in Chicago in 1905 by Paul Harris and three business associates.
The honour bestowed to Evans and Kerr is named after him and there are two ways to become a Paul Harris Fellow. The first is simple—donate $1,000 or more in a single year to the Rotary Foundation. The second, which can be given to community members outside of the organization as well, can be given to someone the club thinks embodies the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self.”
And though Evans in his humility may not admit it, that’s what he did in taking over the presidency.
But that doesn’t mean he’s not happy to hand it off and go back to being a regular member.
“I’m a true believer when it comes to Rotary, and so I was happy to do it because I wanted it to be done, and I think everyone should be willing to do what’s needed of them. And I’m just really glad that someone else is stepping up so that I don’t have to keep doing it. I can go back to being a member and support someone and not have to be the person in charge.”
