We are marking the end of an era for the Rotary Club of Ottawa as we bid happy trails to a stalwart of the Club: Margot Nicholls. Margot has worked on contract with the Club since September of 1990 and her contributions to the operations of the Club and the Adventures in Citizenship program will be remembered for many years to come.
Margot remembers being engaged on a six-month trial basis by then President Blair Davidson. She was 34 years old at the time and often times the only woman in the room in the male dominated club of 150 members. This was a different time in Rotary! Now, over 30 years later Margot has served with 29 Presidents and prides herself on her ability to adapt to the different personalities and offer whatever support they needed.
Margot has many fond Rotary memories.
In the 1990s the Club was responsible for the Easter Seals campaign for Eastern Ontario. Margot helped run the Easter Seal mail campaign from the Rotary Office, and later organized and produced the Easter Seal Telethon, and the Easter Seal Parade that took place down Rideau Street and Elgin Street.
The Ottawa Rotary Home was already in operation at the Rochester Street location when Margot joined the club, however, in future years the Club undertook the campaign to build the current Ottawa Rotary Home with an adult wing located on Rotary Way. Many members, including Margot, made significant contributions both in volunteer hours, project management, and financial commitment, to see this happen. As she remembers, the Club ran a marvelous campaign and they got it done!
Travelling to Kingston, Jamaica with a Rotary contingent after a delivery of incubators for newborns at the Kingston Hospital, Margot remembers being treated like royalty in Jamaica and meeting with the Governor.
Port-a-Potties for the Pope! Upon the visit of the Pope to Toronto for World Youth Day 2002. Gib Patterson brought the Club the fundraising opportunity to earn $10,000 if we would look after a section of port-a-potties at the gathering of over 800,000 people for three days. So, Margot joined the contingent of Club members. She remembers sleeping under open air tents with air mattresses, cots or whatever they could bring and did that messy job for those 3 days.
Margot remembers travelling to Evanston, Illinois to Rotary Headquarters with Eva Hammond for a meeting of large clubs. Eva secured them a private meeting with then President of Rotary International, Richard King. Eva was a dynamic leader and was honored as one of top 100 Rotary Presidents in the world. Hence the private meeting!
Margot will greatly miss organizing the phenomenal Rotary Adventure in Citizenship Program with all of its stresses and joys.
Margot’s knowledge and skills have been an invaluable resource for our members. Moreover, Margot really does know everybody in the Club, and she knows how to get things done. A favour asked of Margot will always be answered with a ‘yes’, because she’s the kind of person who is respected. Her service to our Club has allowed us to serve our community and have an impact on the hundreds of young people in the Adventures in Citizenship program.
Thank you, Margot! Thank you for being here – you made our Rotary experience so much easier.