 A message from Rtn. Warren Hill, first President of the EFR
Our fellowship began in March 1989 when I noticed in Rotary
literature a call for new fellowships to be formed. I used
contacts gained through my profession, National Parks, and
trough Rotarians I had met world-wide when serving as District
Governor in 1986-87. The initial requirements were for five
Rotarians in three countries. The first six "charter" Rotarians
to join included Aidan Maloney of Canada, Glen Alexander, Dale
Engquist, Warren Hill, and Charles Odegaard of the United
States, and Maarten Mantje of the Netherlands. Within the first
year we were joined by members from Bangladesh and more from the
United States. From this beginning the fellowship now includes
more than 120 Rotarians in 30 countries.
I first thought that the Fellowship should be entitled National
Parks following my own profession. I soon found that there was a
general enthusiasm for an environmental fellowship. Early on, I
had thought that we should follow the Rotary guideline that
members should have the "environment" as a profession. But again
I was swayed by the applicants who cam from diverse professions
but who shared a passion for protection of the environment, some
came to us because they served their club, district or Rotary
International in this work. So I thought it best to be
inclusive, not exclusive and not apply any pre-tests to
qualification. What you will find among the members are
Rotarians who do make a difference for the environment through
their profession, through Rotary projects, through other
volunteer work, or through teaching others in this vital field.
I am happy to see the
Rotary Vocational Fellowship Environment
continue under the energetic leadership of Marco Kappenberger.
He has language skills that I do not. He also has unbounded
enthusiasm for doing work in this are and he is committed to
carry on. He also has been a member since 1995 and a frequent
correspondent during all of these years.
Good wishes to you Marco as you move forward with the Fellowship
Environment!
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