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District 6970 has established awards named for two distinguished and historic Rotarians from our membership. Each year at this time District 6970 Rotarians have the opportunity to recognize a Rotarian that exemplifies the legacies of Al Watson and PDG Brent Williams.
The Al Watson award recognizes one outstanding Rotarian within District 6970 who has lived their life by the same principles as Al Watson. The award recognizes a Rotarian who for at least ten years in Rotary has worked quietly and out of the spotlight … Someone who helps build community… Someone who does this work with joy, year after year. This award recognizes primarily community service, not necessarily Rotary specific.
Al was a long-time member of the Rotary Club of Keystone Heights until his passing at the age of 94 years of age. Sixty-five of those years he was a Rotarian. Al and his wife Agnes were successful in the grocery business largely due to a combination of hard work, common sense and an engaging personality.
Both he and Agnes worked tirelessly and donated significantly, with little or no fanfare, in order to help open the doors of opportunity to community youth through access to education, to improve the quality of care for others, and to increase the impact of Al’s beloved Rotary Foundation.
The Brent Williams award recognizes one outstanding Rotarian within District 6970 who has demonstrated extraordinary service and leadership in Rotary for at least ten years in at least two of Rotary’s Avenues of Service.
Brent’s passion for Rotary began in 1989 when he joined the Rotary Club of Gainesville, where he served as 2002-2003 President. He rose through the ranks of Rotary leadership by holding numerous leadership positions at the District, Zone and Rotary International (RI) levels.
In 2006-07 Brent served as Rotary District 6970 Governor, as Zone 34 Regional Rotary Foundation Coordinator from 2010-13, and as a member of the Fund Development Committee for The Rotary Foundation Trustees.
In 2013, Brent was diagnosed with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), a progressive neuro-degenerative disease that affects the brain and spinal cord. However, he continued his devoted service to Rotary until he was too ill to do so. Although Brent passed away in 2016, he learned beforehand that the D. Brent Williams Spirit of Rotary Award would be created to honor his legacy to Rotary, and to honor Rotarians in District 6970 that exemplified his passion, commitment and service.
Please give careful consideration to nominating a fellow Rotarian to not only thank them for their service but also to honor and remember these two special individuals and their service to Rotary.
Previous recipients are listed on the District Awards Page.
If awarded, the recipients will be recognized at District Conference in May.
John
John Tabor | District Governor 2023-2024
Rotary District 6970
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