The Rotarian of the Year Award is designated for the one Rotarian who clearly stands out in demonstrating “Service Above Self” along with a principled commitment to our Four Way Test. The awardee should be an outstanding club member who has made significant contributions to the mission and operation of the Rotary Club of Shepherdstown.
This award is given each year at the sole discretion of our club’s President. Here are some of the criteria which are considered:
- An exemplary meeting attendance record
- Involvement with service projects undertaken by the club
- Involvement with fundraising projects undertaken by the club
- Contributes to the day-to-day workings of the club by helping with tasks necessary for the club to function effectively
- Has served on the club’s Board of Directors
- Has taken an active leadership role
Peter Smith checked all these boxes. But not just for this Rotary Year, but pretty much every year since 2006 when he joined our club.
For years, Peter managed not just the Christmas Parade, but also the 4th of July Parade. He told me last summer that each one of those parades took approximately 60 hours of work to put together. He did this for years. He also chaired our Vocational Service Committee, which meant a seat on our Board of Directors. He did this for years. He chaired our annual Wine Tasting Dinner for years. He led our First Grade Reading Program for years. He coordinated our Eastern Panhandle Reads program for years. For years, he managed all of our club’s publicity.
Yesterday I was browsing my email inbox when I found a message from Peter. It was on July 4 of last year at 5:30 in the afternoon, when we probably were still cleaning up Morgans Grove Park. Peter had already drafted a very professional press release for my approval, covering our picnic and the parade which came earlier in the day.
Anytime Peter Smith led a project or chaired an activity of any type, he brought with him a quiet confidence that everyone could sense. The quiet confidence that all would go well, and end well. The quiet confidence that comes with a volunteer of his caliber and experience level. His mere presence reassured you that any problem presenting itself would be swiftly resolved.
To me there’s no better description of Peter than that written by Bill Howard in his remembrance of Peter on our club website: “Peter had a quiet way of being indispensable”.
Peter never got in anyone’s way. He never stepped on anyone’s toes by doing something he wasn’t supposed to do. All he did, very quietly, was make each one of us, along with our club, look better.
Just as each one of you feels honored to be one of Peter Smith’s fellow Rotarians, I am very honored to recognize Peter Smith as Rotarian of the Year for the 2025-2026 Rotary year.
Dale Homan
President
The Rotary Club of Shepherdstown
2025–2026