Rotarian of the Year

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Each year, an outstanding club member is honored as Rotarian of the Year. Candidates are individuals with a strong commitment to the principles of Rotary and embody the motto "Service Above Self." This is the highest honor our club bestows on an individual Rotarian. It is my distinct honor and privilege to recognize these two outstanding club members, Dale Ann Knight and Robert Stewart, as Rotarians of the Year.

~ Wulff Reinhold, President 2010-2011

ROTARIANS OF THE YEAR 2010-2011

DALE ANN KNIGHT

Dale is the epitome of Rotary. Locally, she participates in every club meeting and event.  She helps other Rotarians, club leaders, and district leaders as a district trainer and visioning facilitator. Dale travels regularly to Mexico, to Guatemala, to Africa, for project fairs, National Polio Immunization Days, and water projects. Her accolades include:

• Current Club International Service Director
• Currrent District Foundation Chair
• Club President 2004-2005
• Club Rotary Foundation Director 2006-2011
• Assistant District Governor 2006-2008
• District Grants Subcommittee Chair 2005-2008, 2009-2011
• Festival of Brotherhood Chair 2005-2011
• District Health, Hunger, Water Chair 2006-2011
• District Vision Team 2008-2011
• District World Community Service 2004-2005
• Institute for Leadership Staff 2008-2010
• Paul Harris Society Member
• Multi-Paul Harris Fellow (+8)
• Rotary Foundation Major Donor
• District “Service Above Self” Award Recipient

ROBERT STEWART

Look up Community Service with the Rotary Club of Rohnert Park-Cotati and you’ll find Bob.  Serving as the club’s Community Service Director for at least the last 6 years and as a club secretary before that, Bob goes out of his way to improve the lives of residents in the communities of Cotati, Penngrove and Rohnert Park. Notable projects include:

• Thanksgiving meals and Holiday Toy Program for underprivileged families
• Community computer labs for children and seniors
• Safari West field trips for underprivileged children
• Sustainable Xeriscape city gardens
• Rotary benches and new playgrounds in city parks
• A police K9 (canine) program
• Volunteer for NOAH (Neighbors Organized Against Hunger), a local food bank service
• Volunteer for Rebuilding Together, renovating homes of low-income or elderly residents
• Facilitation of the club’s Backpack program, providing needed weekend food for underprivileged grade school children
• Providing dictionaries for all third graders in the Cotati-Rohnert Park Unified School District

Bob has facilitated these high impact, highly visible community projects for the benefits of all.  A lifelong public servant, his natural passion is inspirational and irresistible; easily compelling others join his efforts.

The following message is enclosed with a diamond encrusted pin which is given to each Rotarian of the Year:

A wise man and woman who were traveling in the mountains found a precious stone in a stream. The next day, they met another traveler who was hungry, and the wise couple opened their bag to share their food. The hungry traveler saw the precious stone and asked them to give it to him. They did so without hesitation. The traveler left, rejoicing in his good fortune. He knew the stone was worth enough to give him security for a lifetime. But a few days later, he came back to return the stone to them. “I’ve been thinking,” he said. “I know how valuable the stone is, but I give it back in the hope that you can give me something that is far more precious. Give me what you have within you that enabled you to give me the stone.” ~ Unknown

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