The Rotary Club of Hamilton is proud to announce that this year’s Paul Harris Fellowship Award—Rotary’s highest honour for community service—will be presented to the Hamilton Public Library in recognition of their outstanding commitment to literacy, access to information, and community engagement across our city. The Hamilton Public Library has been engaged in numerous Rotary literacy initiatives, putting books in the hands of thousands of children & youth. The Hamilton Public Library under the leadership of Rotarian and Chief Librarian Paul Takala, has been the founding member of the Telling Tales Festival, and engaged in building a library at the Liberian Learning Centre as part of our Rotary international project.
In addition to this public recipient, we are also pleased to share that a second, internal Paul Harris Fellowship recipient will be awarded to a distinguished member of our Rotary family. The identity of this recipient will be revealed at our Rotary Celebration Event on June 25th, 2025, as we gather to honour service above self and celebrate the conclusion of another remarkable Rotary year.
The Paul Harris Fellowship Award is one of the most prestigious honours bestowed by Rotary International. Named after Rotary’s founder, Paul Harris, the award recognises individuals—Rotarians and non-Rotarians alike—who have made exceptional contributions to their community, demonstrated outstanding service, and exemplified the Rotary ideal of “Service Above Self.” It serves as a tribute to those whose actions reflect the highest standards of integrity, compassion, and civic responsibility. Whether through professional achievement, volunteerism, or philanthropy, recipients of the Paul Harris Fellowship have made a lasting impact both locally and globally, upholding the values that Rotary holds dear.
Join us on June 25th at the Royal Hamilton Yacht Club for this meaningful celebration, where we will pay tribute to the legacy of Paul Harris and recognize those who exemplify Rotary’s ideals through their leadership and dedication to the betterment of our community. Tickets are available at https://rotaryclubhamilton.ca/rotary-celebration/
