At a recent meeting of the Rotary Club of Olean, Paula Bernstein — past Rotary president, current Area 15 Area Governor for District 7090, and an active Olean Rotary board member — was named a Paul Harris Fellow honoree. The Paul Harris Fellow is Rotary International’s highest form of recognition, and the award was presented by several club members, including current Rotary president Megan Moretz.Paula Fidurko Bernstein is a lifelong resident of Olean and a passionate advocate for her community. Widely recognized for her extensive volunteerism and leadership, she has made a lasting impact through her involvement with numerous nonprofit organizations across the region. She currently holds leadership roles on several boards, serving as vice president of the Friends of the Olean Library, the Olean Music Boosters, and the Zonta Club of Olean, while also contributing her time to the Genesis House of Olean and the Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce. At the end of January, she will further expand her service by beginning a new term as a board member for the New York Council of Nonprofits, Inc. (NYCON), an organization dedicated to helping New York’s nonprofits build capacity for growth and community impact.
In 2023, Bernstein and her husband, Alan, were named Volunteers of the Year by the Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce and were honored at the YMCA’s 38th Annual Salute to Olean in recognition of their years of dedicated service. Her deep-rooted commitment to the community is inspired by her late parents, David and Penny Fidurko, who instilled in her the values of kindness, generosity, and service to others.
Bernstein noted that the Paul Harris Fellow recognition has historically been awarded not only to Rotarians, but also to dedicated, compassionate, and community-minded individuals worldwide, including presidents, philanthropists, heads of state, entrepreneurs, industrialists, teachers, students, and business professionals.
The presentation of the Paul Harris Fellow is the Rotary Foundation’s way of expressing appreciation for a substantial contribution to its humanitarian and educational programs. The honor is named after Rotary founder Paul Harris, a Chicago attorney who, along with three business associates, launched Rotary International in 1905. Rotarians often designate a Paul Harris Fellow to recognize someone whose life reflects a shared purpose with the ideals of The Rotary Foundation.
“To be honored in this way by the Olean Rotary Club and its members was not only a wonderful surprise but a beautiful way to honor the commitment I have had since joining the Rotary Club. I served as president as diligently as I could for four years, and I am more committed than ever to living out Rotary’s motto of Service Above Self. This recognition inspires me to continue serving with the same passion and purpose that Rotary has given me,” Bernstein said.