PDG Neil King (Darlene)
District Governor 1998-1999
Neil King
1998-1999
Both Neil and Darlene were raised in Alberta and moved to B.C. shortly after they were married. They started their family while living in Dawson Creek, where Neil was employed with B.C. Tel. Subsequently Neil was transferred to Prince George. They have 3 children and now boast of the grandchildren, 5 granddaughters and 1 grandson. They bring much pleasure to their grandparents. Neil retired form B.C. Tel and had a career as General Manager of the Prince George Golf and Curling Club and also a short career with Wilson King, a law firm in Prince George. Darlene looked after the children until they reached high school, and then she was employed at an electronics firm. Both Neil and Darlene enjoy golf and their own time to themselves.
ROTARY
Neil joined the Rotary Club of Prince George Nechako shortly after it was chartered in 1985. He held various offices in the club until being President in 1991-1992. He was awarded the Rotarian of the year by his club in 1994-1995 and was given a Paul Harris Fellowship.
He was Governors Representative for area 3, for 3 years prior to being nominated for Governor. He was nominated by his club for District Governor and was selected by the District Nominating committee.
His term as Governor commenced, July 1, 1998. The RI President was Jim Lacy and his theme was "Follow Your Rotary Dream".
The year preceding and that year were a great time for Neil and Darlene. There were life long friendships made and experiences that will be remembered for a lifetime.
It was a time of hard work, but a year of satisfying accomplishments. .Supported by many dedicated and talented Rotarians much new ground was turned in the District.
It was the first year that the Assistant Governors were appointed to all areas and the concept has grown from that time.
An Insurance Broker took on the task of establishing a District Liability Insurance policy and was successful in starting with 25 clubs participating in that year.
Membership was a struggle, but the District wound up on the positive side at year-end. A revolutionary process for distribution of the District Governors newsletter was tried with the assistance of editor Gord Leighton using the PDF format and the success was overwhelming. It was decided that a website should be started with the goal to be operational but with the determination and knowledge of Gord Leighton, Jerry Craig and webmaster Bob Cotter the site was operational in 2 months.
Communication in the District was in the 21st century mode.
Jim Blake chaired the conference in Prince George and the goal was to have a zero based budget, but Jim held a great conference and turned a handsome profit back to District funds.
Visits to the clubs were a highlight in the year and brought renewed acquaintances and many new friends.
It was indeed a year for Neil and Darlene to achieve and "Follow their Rotary Dream".