Former Club President Milward Simpson's last message...

Our founder Paul Harris said this in Chicago, when describing the Rotary vision: To harness the great power of friendship to help do the world’s work. “Man has affinity for his fellowman, regardless of race, creed, or politics, and the greater the variety, the more the zest. All friendliness needs is a sporting chance; it will take care of itself in any company.” —

 

Of friendship, he also said,  “Friendship is a natural and willing servant….There is no reason…why the great power of friendship should not be harnessed to do its part in the world’s work.” — Report of the President, 1912 Rotary Convention, Duluth, Minnesota, USA

 

and finally, Paul Harris said of friendship: “Friendship was the foundation rock on which Rotary was built and tolerance is the element which holds it together.”

 

one of my favorite writes, Emerson, once wrote of friendship, 

 

"The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand,
nor the kindly smile nor the joy of companionship;
it is the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when
he discovers that someone else believes in him and is
willing to trust him."

 

So, as I head off to new adventures I thank for you friendship and for trusting me with the work of speaker chair and then as President. I'll miss you all and will look forward to visiting you as time permits and will always cherish the opportunity to serve humanity by your side.