Phyllis Charbonneau becomes President
Posted by Chris Woodrow
on May 01, 2011
This morning, at a ceremony in the Rotary Gazebo overlooking the Detroit River at Shanfield Shores Park, Phyllis Charbonneau was inducted as the 2010-2011 president of the Windsor St. Clair Rotary Club.
Community service and volunteerism have always been important to Phyllis Charbonneau - whether it be with Beavers or Brownies, the local Church, the local school and now through Rotary. Whenever there has been an opportunity to give back to the community, she can always be counted on to get involved.
Phyllis Charbonneau takes over the leadership of a club which was established in 1975 and is comprised of 49 professional men and women from across Windsor and Essex County. "Rotary is the largest service organization in the world. Through service to my community – the community where I live – I know I can contribute to many worthy club projects and initiatives. Rotary has provided me the opportunity to continue helping my community grow by addressing many of the needs that are so apparent," she says.
The Rotary International theme for 2010-2011 is Building Communities - Bridging Continents and has a goal of explaining Rotary to non-Rotarians and equally important, validating the work of Rotarians. The incoming President plans to encompass all that is good about the theme - but simplify it for the Windsor and Essex County audience. For 2010-2011, Windsor St. Clair will focus all activities and events on the theme Grow with Rotary.
"Inherent in Grow with Rotary is the obvious reference to growing the size of our club, which I'd like to do by five percent this year," says Charbonneau. "It's important to me that we all grow personally as Rotarians. One of my goals is to achieve better club participation overall. Rotary is an investment of both time and money. Those who invest do so with the expectation of a favourable return. I will do my best to ensure that all Rotary activities keep this top-of-mind. Through increased and well targeted public awareness of our activities, our club will continue to increase its profile within the community and Club growth will result."
Phyllis and husband Paul Charbonneau have lived in the Essex-Kent area all of their lives, apart from time they both spent at Fanshawe College in London. They currently reside in Puce with two senior rescue dogs, Riley and Honey. Phyllis and Paul were married in 1981, and have three children, Jason, Scott and Emily—two of whom have participated in the Rotary Youth Exchange Program, which was Phyllis' introduction to Rotary. A Rotarian for almost 5 years, Phyllis is the District Inbound Coordinator for the Canadian Youth Exchange.
When not immersed in volunteer duties, Phyllis works as Office Manager at The HCA Marketing and Communications Group.
Rotary is a volunteer organization with more than 32,000 clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas. It initiates humanitarian projects that address the challenges affecting the world today, such as hunger, poverty, and illiteracy.
Rotary Club members represent a cross-section of business and professional leaders around the world. These 1.2 million men and women donate their expertise, time, and funds to support local and international projects that help people in need and promote understanding among cultures. Rotary International is the worldwide association of Rotary Clubs united under a motto of Service Above Self.
Phyllis Charbonneau takes over the leadership of a club which was established in 1975 and is comprised of 49 professional men and women from across Windsor and Essex County. "Rotary is the largest service organization in the world. Through service to my community – the community where I live – I know I can contribute to many worthy club projects and initiatives. Rotary has provided me the opportunity to continue helping my community grow by addressing many of the needs that are so apparent," she says.
The Rotary International theme for 2010-2011 is Building Communities - Bridging Continents and has a goal of explaining Rotary to non-Rotarians and equally important, validating the work of Rotarians. The incoming President plans to encompass all that is good about the theme - but simplify it for the Windsor and Essex County audience. For 2010-2011, Windsor St. Clair will focus all activities and events on the theme Grow with Rotary.
"Inherent in Grow with Rotary is the obvious reference to growing the size of our club, which I'd like to do by five percent this year," says Charbonneau. "It's important to me that we all grow personally as Rotarians. One of my goals is to achieve better club participation overall. Rotary is an investment of both time and money. Those who invest do so with the expectation of a favourable return. I will do my best to ensure that all Rotary activities keep this top-of-mind. Through increased and well targeted public awareness of our activities, our club will continue to increase its profile within the community and Club growth will result."
Phyllis and husband Paul Charbonneau have lived in the Essex-Kent area all of their lives, apart from time they both spent at Fanshawe College in London. They currently reside in Puce with two senior rescue dogs, Riley and Honey. Phyllis and Paul were married in 1981, and have three children, Jason, Scott and Emily—two of whom have participated in the Rotary Youth Exchange Program, which was Phyllis' introduction to Rotary. A Rotarian for almost 5 years, Phyllis is the District Inbound Coordinator for the Canadian Youth Exchange.
When not immersed in volunteer duties, Phyllis works as Office Manager at The HCA Marketing and Communications Group.
Rotary is a volunteer organization with more than 32,000 clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas. It initiates humanitarian projects that address the challenges affecting the world today, such as hunger, poverty, and illiteracy.
Rotary Club members represent a cross-section of business and professional leaders around the world. These 1.2 million men and women donate their expertise, time, and funds to support local and international projects that help people in need and promote understanding among cultures. Rotary International is the worldwide association of Rotary Clubs united under a motto of Service Above Self.