Joe Harris Honored as North Jackson Rotarian of the Year
Posted by Bill Osborne
on Jun 30, 2015
Joe Harris Recognized as Rotarian of the Year
The Rotary Club of North Jackson recognized Joe Harris as Rotarian of the Year at its June 30, 2015 Meeting. 2015-2016 President Tom Parry and 2014-2015 President Sean Culhane are shown presenting Joe with his Rotarian of the Year Plaque at the meeting. In addition to his plaque, the club made a gift to the Rotary Foundation in Joe's honor making him a Major donor to the Rotary Foundation. Joe was specifically cited for his 1983 idea to have each member of the Rotary Club of North Jackson contribute $100 annually to the Rotary Foundation as part of their dues. President Tom also commented that with the donation in Joe's honor, the Rotary Club of North Jackson has now contributed over $500,000 to the Rotary Foundation. In accepting the award, Joe commented as follows: "Thank you for such an unexpected and magnanimous recognition. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate it.
You mentioned our reaching past the 1/2 million mark in Rotary Foundation giving. If this is the cause of my awards,please let me remind everyone of a very important fact: I did not give the $501,186.24 all by my lonesome. Every Rotarian who has been or was a member of this club since 1983 is responsible for our achievement. My fellow Rotarians, your 27.5 cents a day or $25.00 per quarter or $100.00 per year, given each and every day,quarter and year is the sole and only reason we have achieved this plateau. We all, whether 44 years or 44 months or 44 weeks a member has contributed his or her requested portion of the total. I was and am just the bookkeeper, the recorder, the corresponder, the link to the Rotary Foundation,
which assignment, I was more than happy and proud to take on. But your contributions were what caused the wheels to roll and the deposits to grow. All credit goes to you, my fellow members of the North Jackson Rotary Club. And on behalf of the Rotary Foundation and all the people who have benefited from your largesse, I thank you with all my heart. I am so proud of this club and it's members and hope that long after I am no longer able to function efficiently that someone will step up and assume the responsibility."