At a recent Rotary Club of Olean meeting, Theresa Shaffer, retired Reference Librarian from St. Bonaventure and director of the Rotary Foundation for the Olean club, was named Paul Harris Fellow honoree. The Paul Harris Fellow is Rotary International’s highest honor, and the award was presented by Rotary Area Governor and Olean President, Paula Bernstein.Bernstein noted that in addition to Rotarians, the Paul Harris Fellow recognition has decorated a group of dedicated, compassionate, community-minded individuals, including presidents, philanthropists, heads of state, entrepreneurs, industrialists, teachers, students and business professionals.
“After retiring from St. Bonaventure University Library, I joined the Olean Rotary Club. I’ve enjoyed working on projects with other members to better our community. The Paul Harris award is greatly appreciated since it indicates a commitment to helping meet the needs all over this world” said Shaffer.
“Theresa is an incredible advocate and ambassador for all things Rotary and St. Bonaventure. She is a staunch supporter of the Rotary Foundation and the principles of Rotary. We are fortunate to have someone with Theresa’s talents who is so fiercely devoted to our community,” said Bernstein.
Pictured: Paula Bernstein, Area 15 Governor and Olean Club President, and Theresa Shaffer, Rotary Foundation Director and Rotary Member
For more information about the Olean Rotary Club, visit http://www.facebook.com/OleanRotaryClub.
- Paula Bernstein
The presentation of the Paul Harris Fellow is the foundation’s way of expressing its appreciation for a substantial contribution to its humanitarian and educational programs. It is named for the founder of Rotary, Paul Harris, a Chicago lawyer who started Rotary International with three business associates in 1905.
Rotarians often designate a Paul Harris Fellow as a tribute to a person whose life demonstrates a shared purpose with the objectives of The Rotary Foundation.
The Olean Rotary meets at 12:10 p.m. Tuesdays at the Bartlett Country Club, new members are welcomed. Rotary Club members have been a part of the fabric of the Olean area community since 1928. Rotary’s current members patronize virtually all Olean-area businesses and have donated literally hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years to many Olean-area causes and organizations. For example, Olean Rotary has given mini grants to many area teachers, provided thousands of dictionaries to area third graders, helped construct a high tunnel garden at the Olean Food Pantry through a Rotary grant, worked with Operation Warm Hearts last Fall with handing out art and school supplies, and many other worthy endeavors.