Welcome

Rotary International Spouse/Partner Service Award

Presented May 17, 2014 by District Governor Carolyn Johnson

at District 7780 Rotary Conference

 
Paula Gagne

I first met Paula Gagne in 2004 at our district's conference.  Paula stood out because families with two very young children attending a Rotary event was not a common occurrence.  Since then, the Gagne family are consistent participants at Rotary events, both club and district, conferences and service projects.  I've learned over the years how Rotary is an important aspect in Paula's parenting, teaching her children of the need and leading by example of how to be of service to others.  When we think of “New Generations" of Rotary service, Paula is clearly an active ambassador, demonstrating to her children how Rotarians are engaged and do change lives.

Leading by example is typical of the humanitarian service rendered by Paula Gagne.  Recently, our district initiated a project to support the community of Lac Megantic, the small town in Quebec destroyed last summer by a horrific train accident.  Paula was instrumental in gaining the attention and support of district Rotarians to the situation in Lac Megantic and rally our clubs to get involved.  Paula participated in preliminary trips (6 hr. drive each way) to Lac Megantic to help with the needs assessment to determine the scope of our project.  She contacted many of the individuals in Quebec needed to plan and implement the project.  Paula contacted the Fire Chief, Salvation Army, Food Pantry Coordinator, and City Hall officials - as well as coordinating the involvement of neighbors, to skillfully, quietly, and patiently gain their support and ensure the project's success.  When the project was in danger of falling apart, Paula reached out to individuals in Lac Megantic, gained their trust, and with them determined’s needs and how we might best meet those needs. Paula also reached out to specific individuals who needed support - families outside the parameters of the primary project, but clearly in need of support. She called each of the families, explained what Rotary is and what Rotarians were trying to do (since no one knew what Rotary is all about), worked to build trust, listened to each person's story about the effect this tragedy had on their life, documented their stories, and ultimately convinced them to join us for a community dinner and accept holiday baskets of food and gifts for their families. Of note, Paula's daughter (a HS Senior) was involved, giving up several weekends that she could have spent with friends, instead involved in Rotary service.  Paula connected with people in a way others of us could not: her fluency in Quebecoise (which she often downplays) was key in making this project a reality and a success.   Paula played a pivotal part in representing Rotary to the Canadian media, skillfully and compassionately sharing stories of the victims of the tragedy, explaining the story and mission of Rotarians.

Traveling internationally with a young family (at the time, raising a 10 and a 7 year old) placed a large burden on Paula while her Rotarian husband participated in Rotary missions in Kenya.  Again, Paula was fully involved: she assisted with pre-trip preparations ranging from immunization planning to packing the supplies (medicines, donations, etc.) for the families and communities the mission would support.  She organized yard sales and fundraising events to support school fees for Kenyan students.  Upon hearing stories of the people her husband and other Rotarians met in Kenya, Paula insisted that their family support a young orphaned girl named Juventia.  Their support has been long-term resulting in Juventia graduating from nursing school next year.  Who knows, perhaps it was Paula's background as a nurse that provided the model for Juventia to continue her schooling and determine her career?

Paula and her family have hosted exchange students for both long and short term programs.  Over the years, they welcomed students from Argentina, Canada, and France.  Hosting a student is a significant commitment and adjustment for a family.  Logistics and dynamics are impacted when a teen from another country comes into a family for an extended period of time.  Paula, in her typical maternal style welcomed each child into her family, gathered them in, helping them succeed, and managing  family dynamics so the lives of all were enriched - an exceptional host "mom!"

Biddeford-Saco's Rotary's largest fundraiser is an on-air TV auction.  This is the 3rd year that Paula will help coordinate an important recent aspect of the auction- a huge pot luck.  Instead of purchasing food from local fast-food vendors (this is a two day event!), Paula helps coordinate refreshments for the volunteers from the two clubs.  This provides opportunity for involvement for many who didn't feel they had the skills needed to make the event a success.  By soliciting donations of homemade food, the clubs improved food selection and the enjoyment of volunteers, while increasing engagement by Rotarians and family of Rotary. Paula spends most of the auction weekend keeping the kitchen tidy and food selections fresh, while serving food and drink to volunteers who cannot leave their posts during the auction.

These are but examples of how Paula Gagne is actively engaged in humanitarian service through Rotary.  She is most deserving of the Spouse Service Award for her long-term, active, unassuming support and involvement in Rotary service.