First woman president at Ru’glen Rotary
A grandmother has become the first ever female president of Rutherglen Rotary Club.
Pat Paul, the only female to join the club so far, has become the first lady leader in the club’s 73 year history.
Taking up the mantle from outgoing president Bill McIntosh, Pat said it was a great privilege to take the helm of a local branch of an international organisation.
“I feel it’s a great honour and I will do my best for them,” she said.
“It will be a challenge but I am really looking forward to it. It will be something big in my life.
“Having been a member of the Inner Wheel for 25 years, I have a fair idea of what goes on and I know they will support me.”
Pat joined Rutherglen Rotary Club in July 2014, although her husband David has been a member for 35 years.
She was asked to become president by Bill, who put the proposal before the Rotary council who approved the appointment.
And whilst Pat has only been in the role a few weeks, she already has a host of projects she is looking forward to throwing her weight behind.
These include the new Rotakids initiative and encouraging more women to join the Rotary Club.
Pat added: “Firstly the camaraderie is great, the fellowship is superb and we do a lot of good things in the community, especially with primary schools, and we like to get involved with local charities.
“We like to do get involved in good causes and hopefully women will see that.”
Pat, like her predecessor Bill, will be paying particular attention this year to Rotakids, a citizenship programme run in primary schools.
It challenges pupils – or RotaKids – to come up with ideas for good deeds, such as raising money for charity, improving the environment, helping the elderly or children in another country.
This in turn helps children to make good friends and grow their confidence and self-esteem.
Burgh and Calderwood primaries have already signed up to the initiative.
This, and the Rotary’s mission to eradicate polio, will remain the priorities for Pat and her colleagues throughout the year.
Away from the Rotary Club, Pat enjoys spending time with her family and grandchildren, and is a keen curler alongside husband David.
Paul, pictured with husband David, is the first female president of Rutherglen Rotary Club
The camaraderie is great and the fellowship is superb