Posted by Susan Hammond

COMMUNITY FELLOW

Sandra Brown, a Westfield, NY resident, was recently recognized with a Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Club of Westfield-Mayville. This distinction was given to her during this Rotary Club’s Oct. 14 Gold Rush public event at Eason Hall in Westfield.
 
Pictured is Sandra Brown (center) receiving her Paul Harris Fellow Recognition.  She is accompanied by Club President Janese Berkhouse (left) and Club Community Service Chair Tom Berkhouse (right) who were the co-nominators for this award recipient.
Non-Rotarian Paul Harris Fellows are presented to individuals who demonstrate extraordinary commitment to the ideals of Rotary. Recipients may not be or ever have been Rotarians. Brown was presented with a certificate and pin from The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International. The certificate states that she is named a “Paul Harris Fellow in appreciation of tangible and significant assistance given for the furtherance of better understanding and friendly relations among peoples of the world.” For many years the Westfield-Mayville Rotary Club has recognized individuals from the communities of Brocton, Mayville, Ripley, Sherman and Westfield in Chautauqua County of New York State with this prestigious award.
 
During the opening of the Oct. 14 award presentation, Jim Wakeman, Westfield-Mayville Rotary Club Foundation Chair and Paul Harris Fellow Committee Chair, explained who Paul Harris was and what the award represents.  Wakeman stated, “Rotarians may designate a non-Rotarian as a Paul Harris Fellow to recognize a person whose life demonstrates a shared purpose with the objectives and mission of Rotary and The Rotary Foundation. The motto of Rotary is “Service Above Self,” and the motto of The Rotary Foundation is “Doing Good in the World.” He continued, “Non-Rotarian Paul Harris Fellow Awards are given to individuals who demonstrate extraordinary commitment to the ideals of Rotary.   The award recipients exemplify service above self…They are recognized for contributions of service made through volunteerism, and not through their professions.”
 
Rotary Club of Westfield-Mayville President Janese Berkhouse gave a brief history about Paul Harris and the beginnings of Rotary International. She then made the presentation speech. Berkhouse said, “’Service Above Self,’ Rotary’s motto, describes the philosophy this year’s honoree lives by. This individual willingly gives time, treasures and talents. Choosing a career in education has allowed this person to help shape the lives of many students.” Brown, a retired educator, grew up in Decatur, IL, received her BA in education at Eureka and a MA in education at SUNY Fredonia.  She taught locally for 27 years.
 
Describing Brown, Berkhouse stated, “The days did not end at school or with retirement. Her volunteer activities continued by serving as a board member, officer and a true “hands on” member of many organizations. She has served on the Westfield Memorial Hospital Board of Directors, Westfield Soup Kitchen, Westfield Women’s Organization and Habitat for Humanity. At the Patterson Library, in addition to serving on its board and also an officer, you will see her painting, doing research or a performing a variety of other activities.”
 
Berkhouse continued, “Walk across the street, and for those of you interested in history, you may have enjoyed a tour at the McClurg Museum, given by this individual. Or you may find her researching donated historical items, cleaning or decorating at this museum. If it is a Thursday in the summer, then you will find her at the Hurlbut Memorial Church, busy preparing and serving lunches or dinners. A call in the middle of the night, when a family is left homeless due to a disaster, and when a snowstorm hits the area, and Brown is on her way to assist the Red Cross, in addition to volunteering for scheduled blood drives.”  
 
Brown, who has given countless hours of service in Chautauqua County, has traveled to other parts of the U.S. to assist during times of natural disasters, including Hurricane Katrina and floods in Oakville, Iowa. Beyond the U.S. borders, Brown has participated in various mission trips to Nicaragua, and she plans to return there next spring.
 
Upon receiving her recognition, Brown exclaimed, “Wow! The Paul Harris Fellow Award. What a surprise this is! At first, I was just interested in finding out who Janese Berkhouse was describing, especially when she said that the person was an educator. When she mentioned the boards the recipient was on, I thought, “That sounds like me.” I turned to David, my husband, and he just smiled.”
 
She added, “Thank you to the Westfield-Mayville Rotary. What an honor it is to be chosen to receive this award. We are all truly blessed to be part of Westfield and Mayville, where so many are willing to give of their time for community service. Thank you for this award.”
 
Brown’s proudest accomplishment is raising four boys, along with her husband David Brown, who provided Tom and Janese Berkhouse with details about his spouse’s many volunteer activities for the surprise award nomination. The Brown’s eighth grandchild was born shortly after Sandra received her Paul Harris Fellow Award.
 
The Rotary Club of Westfield-Mayville proudly congratulates Sandra Brown on being its 2017 recipient of The Rotary Foundation Paul Harris Fellow Award, a distinction of which she is very deserving, as she exemplifies the Rotary’s mo