Left to right: Roger Dick, Jim Walters and Kris Pollick
The East York Rotary Club proudly recognized two long-standing members, Jim Walters and Roger Dick, with the designation of Honorary Membership, one of the highest honors a Rotarian can receive.
To be considered for honorary membership, a Rotarian must have been an active member for at least three years, demonstrated strong attendance, served in a major club leadership role, contributed to committees or district-level service, been recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow, and participated in at least three major club projects. Both Walters and Dick exceeded these requirements many times over during their decades of service.
Jim Walters has been a member of Rotary for 38 years. He served as Club President twice, first in 1992–93 and again in 2010–11. Walters and his family were deeply involved in the Rotary Youth Exchange program, hosting students from the Netherlands, Spain, and Madrid, while his own daughter, Sara Jayune, studied abroad in Madrid through the same program. Walters contributed to numerous committees, including Classification and Club Service, and chaired the Club Foundation for more than a decade. A Paul Harris Fellow, Major Donor, and Endowment Donor, he also helped lead fundraising efforts, including the popular Holleran’s picnic event. His dedication to service has been a cornerstone of the East York Rotary Club for nearly four decades.
Roger Dick joined Rotary 33 years ago and has been a driving force behind many of the club’s programs and outreach efforts. He has held key leadership roles as Membership Chair, Foundation Chair, Club Service Chair, and International Mission Coordinator. A Paul Harris Fellow, Major Donor, and Endowment Donor, Dick has also spearheaded projects supporting Students of the Month, speaker arrangements, community service at The Daily Bread, and work at the Gold Star Garden, among many others. His leadership and hands-on participation reflect his enduring commitment to Rotary’s motto of “Service Above Self.”
Club members expressed gratitude and admiration as Walters and Dick were officially awarded honorary status, recognizing their lifetime of dedication and contributions to Rotary, the local community, and international service.