Twenty-two Rotarians in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental were conferred as Paul Harris fellows during the District Training Assembly (Distas) by Rotary International District 3850 held at O’ Hotel in Bacolod City Saturday.
The Father of Rotary International Paul Percy Harris might be happy to know that he has new fellows in Bacolod City.
This writer, who serves as president of the Rotary Club of Bacolod–East (RCB-E, with past president Rafael Golez, immediate past president Elsie Jolingan, RC Bacolod president Maida Torre, RC Bacolod North president Renato Locsin and several others were Paul Harris Fellows while RCB-E past president Benjamin Souribio was a Multiple Paul Harris Fellow.
The conferment was made by past district governor Oliver Ong, Governor-elect Lindon See Diet, past district Governor Jude Doctora and district governor nominee-designate Louie Gonzaga.
The fellows were given their certificate of recognition and their Paul Harris pins for their contribution to the Annual Program Fund, the Polio Plus Fund or the Humanitarian Grants program of the Rotary Foundation.
We are quite overwhelmed by our inclusion as Paul Harris fellows, which made our Rotary lives more meaningful. Thank you for this great opportunity to become Paul Harris fellows, they said.
Rotary District 3850 was busy on Saturday because of the Distas, a time where incoming officers are trained on their roles and functions.
This includes from the president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, club administration, club membership, club public image/relation, club service project and new generation chair.
Rotary prepares their officers before they assume their respective posts.
Moreover, District Governor-elect Diet was thankful that many Rotarians came to the Distas. Although their travel from their hometown in Zamboanga was a bit shaken by their sudden fall in a ravine, they were grateful that God’s hands saved them, without a scratch on their skin despite the impact.
The training started at 8 a.m. and ended at 6 p.m. Most of the Rotary Clubs also received their wheelchairs from the Rotary District Designated Funds, which was contributed during the incumbency of past district governor Doctora.
District Governor Jundad Legislador, for his part, congratulated everyone for participating in the Distas and also for those who became the new Paul Harris fellows.