In April 1961 Ian Davidson became a member of Rotary Club of Great Falls. In the sixty years since, Ian’s leadership as a Rotarian has been top-drawer. He was Club President in 1975-76, became a Paul Harris Fellow for the first time in 1981 and has repeated that distinction 9 times. He is a member of the Bequest Society, the Paul Harris Society and a Sustaining Member. But his contributions as a Rotarian go beyond that. We asked Rotarians to recall some of them on this milestone anniversary.
Mary Moe commented on the donation that brought Davidson Lodge to Camp Rotary. “We were just starting to get jazzed about what Harvest Howl could do to bring the camp into the 21st century, but it was an uphill battle. There was just so much to do. The Davidsons’ donation provided this beautiful centerpiece that re-ignited the fire in all of us to keep this camp our pride and joy, our signature effort. It’s heart-warming to think of how many kids have benefited as a result.”
Sheila Rice recalled a different way that Ian helped to revitalize the club at a crucial moment in its history. In 1987 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Rotary clubs could no longer exclude members on the basis of gender. In response, Ian helped recruit several women into Rotary Club of Great Falls, knowing they would be more likely to stay if several women broke the barrier at the same time. Sheila was one of them. “At my very first meeting,” she recalled, “Ian stood up to shake my hand and welcome me with the words, ‘It’s about time we have some professional women in this club. Welcome!’”
Some milestones are easy to identify, but many regard Ian’s greatest contribution to be the example he sets. “His generosity has been incredible, of course,” Kurt Baltrusch commented. “But what has impressed me just as much is the importance he places on just showing up. As a the CEO of a prestigious firm with a very busy schedule, it would be so easy for him to say, 'I'm just too busy." But there he is at our weekly Rotary meetings. He sets such a powerful example in that way.”
Sheila Rice noticed that too. “Ian is a class act in every way. He not only attends meetings, but he makes it a point to approach every speaker at the end of a meeting to personally thank them for their presentation. If he has to leave a meeting early, he lets the speaker know beforehand. So thoughtful.”
Sixty years in our club! As Bob Norbie observed, “That’s a lot of time to make this world a better place. And he has. Along with his entire family. You don’t have to look far to see how Ian and his family have enriched lives across Montana, including the lives of Special Olympians that were my area of focus. Consistent with the Rotary mission, Ian recognizes that as we lift up others, we lift up ourselves.”
Thank you, Ian, for choosing our club and for sticking with us three score years and counting. You have lifted us all up to a higher level of service.
