About North Shore Rotary

Gene, LuAnne, and Chuck distributing roses at Super One.

(Is that a package of chocolate chip cookies in the lower right corner?)

 

Chuck Trieschmann, North Shore Rotary President, has won the Rotarian of the Year Award in District 5580.

Posted May 2007

 

 

Our own Marty Byrnes wins Rotary International's Service Above Self Award.

Local man gets Rotary award
Monica Isley - Lake County News Chronicle
Published Thursday, March 15, 2007

Former North Shore resort owner Marty Byrnes has received Rotary International’s Service Above Self Award for being one of those people “who make service a way of life.” The award was presented at the North Shore Rotary Club meeting on Tuesday by Paula Timmins, past district governor, who nominated Byrnes.

Local Rotary president Ken Sandvik explained that of the 530 districts throughout the world, with over 1.2 million members, only 150 of these awards are given out each year, and no more than one per district. The name of the award, established in 1991, is one of Rotary’s mottos embraced by each of its members. That service is to be given to local communities, as well as to international projects.

Byrnes is a charter member of the local club, which was reactivated in 1994. He has been active in all phases locally, but especially enjoys Rotary projects that take him to third-world countries. “You see people with nothing, and they’re happy,” Byrnes said. “You realize it’s not ‘things’ that count.”

During Tuesday’s meeting, Byrnes talked about his recent visit to Honduras as part of LARA (Latin America Rotary Aid). He worked on a construction project, but was also able to witness medical help, and a water purification project being done by a Rotary club from Maine. “It’s such a good experience,” Byrnes said. “You learn to support the whole community, and to be one with them.”

Byrnes is also active with youth programs, especially the RYLA camps (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards). Byrnes wife, Julia, described his reaction when he learned he’d won the award: “Me? Isn’t anyone else doing anything?”

Timmins said people like Byrnes need to be recognized, even if they don’t want to be--and that there are many others who probably would have made good nominees because of the emphasis Rotary puts on service. “But I know Marty, have known him for a long time,” she said. “He’s a very generous person, and very conscious of the needs of other people.”

Byrnes received a plaque signed by the president of Rotary International, a pin--and the enthusiastic congratulations of fellow club members.

North Shore Rotary History 1923 - 1961