As the Belleville Rotary Club prepares to welcome their next president in July, the club gathered at Huff Estates Winery on Thursday to celebrate the two terms of outgoing president Darrell Smith.
Smith was the first president in Belleville Rotary Club history to serve two consecutive terms. Other presidents have served two terms before but never back to back.
During the President’s Dinner, Smith gave a heartfelt speech where he thanked several club members who helped make his time as president a success.
Members of the Belleville Rotary Club applaud during outgoing president Darrell Smith’s speech at the President’s Dinner. Photo: Alan-Michael Steele, Quinte News
During the event, Smith reflected on the past two years and all the club accomplished during them, from enduring the tail end of COVID lockdowns to many successful fundraisers.
“Now that I’ve seen so much, the club gain so much traction and so much enthusiasm, it’s almost tough to move out of that president’s position as you know we’re going to be so impactful in our community,” said Smith.
Smith isn’t planning on leaving the club. While he is stepping down from the presidency, he plans to continue to be a part of the club’s ongoing activities.
During his speech to the gathered members, Smith took the time to announce the first of a series of committed donations to the YMCA of Central East Ontario, presenting YMCA CEO Dave Allen with a cheque for $100,000 as a commitment towards the organization’s capital campaign fundraiser to build the Centre for Life.
From left to right: Belleville Rotary Club past president Doug Peterson, YMCA CEO Dave Allen, Current Belleville Rotary Club president Darrell Smith and Belleville Rotary Club Director Collin Myers, presenting a large cheque to the YMCA for the YMCA Centre for Life. Photo: Alan-Michael Steele, Quinte News
The incoming president, Peter Malone, also spoke briefly to the crowd. Malone takes over the presidency on the first of July, and plans to serve one term before the next president in line takes over the following year.
“I am absolutely thrilled,” said Malone, “I’m so excited to have an opportunity to run with this club.”
Malone says he plans to work on growing the club’s membership and prominence in the community.
Outgoing president Smith’s final meeting as president is coming up on Thursday.
