At our Zoom meeting on January 11, two honourary Paul Harris Fellow awards were given by the club to Rotary member Gary Carder and Community member Phil McIntyre-Paul. This award is a recognition of the efforts of these two men, who both work tirelessly in their own fields to contribute to the betterment of Salmon Arm.
Long time Rotary member Gary Carder exemplifies the Rotary belief in Service Above Self. In presenting the award, Colleen Fennell mentioned Gary's long service and regular attendance at Rotary meetings. When it was necessary to switch from in-person meetings to Zoom meetings, Gary made the effort to reach out and ask for help in order to master the new skills required to participate in online meetings, In both his personal and Rotary life, Gary supports both Rotary and Salmon Arm community. He buys Askews cards, and participates in our Flag fund raiser by flying his own flag and encouraging his neighbours to do the same.
For many years, Gary has been responsible for ordering and buying all the food supplies for the Reino Keski-Salmi Loppet. Gary is also a regular contributor to the Rotary Foundation. Although living with limited physical abilities, which restricts his involvement to support roles, he applies himself with diligence towards making those functions successful. Gray quietly goes about living his life true to Rotary's 4-way test.
Phil McIntyre-Paul is a valued member of the Salmon Arm community. He makes our community a better place by helping to provide exercise and recreation and helping to draw tourists to the superb trails in the area. From the moment he conceived his trail idea to circumnavigate Shuswap Lake he has been 100% dedicated to that task and has managed to bring community groups, indigenous groups and both local and provincial governments. together to accomplish a lot! He has established groups of trail stewards in specific areas such as South Canoe, Balmoral and White Lake. These groups have taken responsibility for maintenance in those areas.
His leadership of the Shuswap Trail Alliance has established credibility with governmental agencies such that the STA has been tasked with development of the Sicamous-Vernon section of the Rail Trail.
The addition of the shoreline trail around Salmon Arm bay will provide a lakeshore experience year-round and will assist First Nations people to access town without using the highway.
Phil McIntyre Paul exemplifies Rotary ideals. He has been part of the Salmon arm community for decades and his efforts have influenced thousands of people, both community members and visitors. Phil maintains that the Shuswap Trail Alliance is a collaborative effort of many folks dedicated to a good trail system throughout the area. However, it is through his efforts that the collaborative effort has come about. Rotary salutes Phil McIntyre-Paul.