Christopher Tompkins Award

Christopher Tompkins Service Above Self Award

This award was created in 2008 to honor one club member who has exemplified "Service Above Self" throughout the year.  The award is voted by secret ballot by the entire club membership.

2007-08 Award:  Betty Jo Tompkins

Award Presentation Speech at Installation Dinner 2008: Presented by Irma Davila, President

And now, I have the distinct pleasure of introducing our first ever “Christopher Tompkins Service Above Self Award”.  The recipient of this award embodies the ideals of Rotary, the Four Way Test and ultimately embodies “Service Above Self”.  I didn’t have the pleasure of meeting Christopher Tompkins personally, but his legacy lives on.  Chris Tompkins fervently served his community and also served as president of the Brandon South Rotary Club.  It was imminent in the way he lived, his compassion for others and his aspiration to serve the community at large.  Everyone knows he was a true and selfless leader, evidenced by the many leadership positions he held throughout his life. 

And it is only right that this first Chris Tompkins award go to a person who embodies all that Rotary is herself.  This person works tirelessly to push the envelope to do what is right, to serve her community, to promote peace and goodwill throughout the world. She has been a Rotarian for 17 years and is a multiple Paul Harris Fellow.  She is a Past District Governor, one of the few women in the district to do so.  She has traveled with Rotary to the far ends of India and administered polio vaccinations to children.  She is actively involved in District Conferences, PETS, and speaks often about the value of service above self in Rotary.  She is a charter member of the club, the one with ALL the stories, and our “founding mama”. 

She is the Reason I joined Rotary.  She is the Strongest Woman I know, with the softest voice, and the biggest heart.  So it is with great honor and pride that I can give the first ever Christopher Tompkins Service Above Self award to the mother of the wonderful man we honor--- Ms. Betty Jo Tompkins.