Rotary honors long-time member

The applause, laughter and sentimental tears at a recent Rotary Club dinner at the Sherwood Inn had to do with honoring Rotarian Bill Stevens for his years of work for the club.

But the words and memories honoring this man for his 27 years of volunteer work as a Skaneateles Rotarian were also a reflection of the Skaneateles Rotary Club and – indeed – Rotary International.

Stevens, who is moving out of Skaneateles with his wife, Mary, represents all that is best about Rotary: the friendships, the dedication, and the tireless work on projects to help the local community and the world.

Rotarian and longtime friend Lee Bennett opened the tribute to Stevens by saying “this is your night—our opportunity to honor you.” He said that in his 27 years in Rotary, Stevens has been a worker and a leader – in Skaneateles and that the district level. (Rotary District 7150 covers all of Central New York).

Bennet said that as a hands-on member, Stevens has been a “pancake flipper, money counter, crew chief on the Pavillion project, trash picker-upper with the Adopt a Highway project, and book sorter and lifter for Books for the World.” He has also held many leadership positions at the local and district levels, including club president.

He and his wife, Mary, hosted numerous exchange students and befriended all exchange students over the years.  On a broader scale, Stevens worked at the district level to make District 7150 Youth Exchange Program “one of the best in the nation,” Bennett said, helping bring hundreds of students from around the world to Central New York, and sending hundreds of local students abroad.

Randy Wilson, a Rotarian who has worked on the District Youth Exchange Committee with Stevens since 1995, said Stevens has been a “vital lynch pin” in creating, implementing and refining compliance systems that Rotary International and the US Department of State require for maintaining approved accreditation status for youth exchange programs. Wilson took over as District Inbound Vice Chair from Stevens, who left a legacy for knowing and welcoming each inbound student.

“He gave me a great example to follow,” Wilson said. He said their time working together at conferences, orientations “are times that I clearly recognize as Rotary serving humanity.”

Wilson shared a favorite quote:  “Rotary Youth Exchange: Opening minds and breaking hearts since 1929!”  Wilson added, “You have been opening minds for 30 years … and now you are breaking our hearts by moving on to Fairport, New York.”

Bennett noted that his decades-long friendship with Stevens included almost all areas of their lives, and said that the most meaningful aspect of their friendship is their shared love of Rotary. Bennett said “he will personally miss Bill but the Rotary Club of Skaneateles will miss Bill even more. We are better Rotarians and people because of you.”

Stevens, moved by the tributes, said everyone made him feel “really proud.” He intends to join the Fairport Rotary Club and to stay involved. He was surprised by all in attendance, including his daughters Lori and Jane, other family members, and Rotarians from throughout the district including District Governor Peter Cardamone.

Wilson shared a quote from Jackie Robinson, who never knew Stevens but managed to capture what Stevens is also about: “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.” He thanked Stevens “on behalf of the hundreds of exchange students, Rotary members and host families whose lives and worlds have been positively impacted by you.”

Member Bill Conole presented Stevens with a Paul Harris Fellow plus 3, saying that through his ongoing contributions, Stevens made the Rotary goal of “Change the World” come to life.

In his tribute to Stevens, Wilson quoted a letter from a parent (who sent children abroad and welcomed others into her home) who attributes much to Stevens and his efforts: “There is something in the structure of Rotary that could change the world, if only it could be applied to everyday life.”   In Rotary Youth Exchange, students are met as they get off the airplane with this premise: “We are here to know you.  We welcome you.  You are on our center stage … we will get to know each other and we will love each other.”

If only everyone in the world could do this and feel this for each other, he said. This is what Stevens has helped spread around the world through Rotary Youth Exchange.  And it is why Bill Stevens reflects the best of Rotary.