Rotary Club Of Moncton Has 101 Ways To Celebrate A Century Of Service
The Rotary Club of Moncton has come up with 101 ways to celebrate the 101st anniversary of the service club.
Originally slated as a sold-out gala event celebrating its 100th anniversary, featuring Rotary International’s President, plans came to a halt when large gatherings had to be put on hold due to Covid-19.
Seizing the opportunity amid the pandemic challenges, the club wants the celebration to serve as a powerful reminder of what service can do for the world.
The 101 program includes the launch of the “Rotary 101 Resilience Awards” that will recognize a different Greater Moncton resident every day for 101 consecutive days. Beginning late summer, a community member will be spotlighted each day who has demonstrated leadership and resilience, and made a positive impact on those around them and the community that they serve.
After deliberations, the Rotary Club of Moncton decided to proceed with the celebration by offering special-edition, extended programming and pivoting to celebrating its 101st anniversary.
“We chose to seize this opportunity to celebrate this important anniversary by turning our gaze ahead,” says Clarence Robinson , Moncton Club President. “It’ll be a time to acknowledge our past accomplishments, but also the perfect occasion to set the foundation for the future. We’ve been at the service of our community, and the world, for a long time. It makes sense to rally the entire community together to celebrate over a longer period of time.’’
The Rotary 101 Resilience Awards are being presented by Missing Link Technologies in honour of their 20th anniversary. The awards will culminate in a special brunch celebration in the fall with all 101 recipients, sponsors, and community leaders gathering to celebrate the individual and collective impact of those being honoured.
Recipients will also be presented with a custom-designed commemorative pewter award from Aitkens Pewter and have a professional photoshoot and social media recognition.
Instead of a single gala event, new programming will consist of a series of smaller events, both online and outdoors, the Rotary 101 resilience awards, exclusive online content, the annual car draw, and special surprises for the community.
Another important component of the programming will be a heavier presence on social and digital media to truly engage with the community and make more people aware of the work done by the service club, at home and abroad.
“Service is universal. Whether we’re at the service of a community across the globe or we are selling car draw tickets to raise funds for a local charity, service is the common factor between the two initiatives,” said Robinson.
“It was important for us to make everyone feel included in our celebrations and that is why we chose to turn to social media – to get that conversation going and learn more about what service means for different people.’’