Charles F. Bragg 2nd Rotary Club Leadership Award
It is a busy month, spent wrapping up all the projects for the year. Today's event was awarding the first "Charlie"-the Charles F. Bragg, 2nd Award. From President Crowley's remarks: "The long standing traditions of Rotary Club of Bangor are entitlements for each and every member today. Over the 93 years since our club was founded, history has been generous to Rotary Internationl and our club in particular. Millions of outstanding men and women have embraced SERVICE ABOVE SELF during this time. We are living testimonials to Paul Harris, founder of Rotary International.
In contemporary Rotary Club of Bangor history - our club authorized recognition of one such Rotarian who embodied the spirit of RI, one of our own, an individual who proudly lived his life and love for his community; he valued the spirit of the Four Way Test and participated in weekly activities with the passion and zest he lived life-our dear friend and Rotarian, Charles F. Bragg, 2nd.
The Charles F. Bragg, 2nd Rotary Club Leadership Award is established this year by the Board of Directors to recognize long-standing members of the Rotary Club of Bangor, Maine for their continuous and exemplary leadership and service to the club and the community it serves.
Charlie Bragg, whose passing in 2007 ended over 60 years of continuous exemplary Rotary leadership and service with the Bangor club, was a fireless advocate for the ideal of 'service above self' and was an inspiration to the club. For decades Charlie managed the classification of all members seeking entrance into our club - bringing down barriers for others to participate in the rich contribution Rotary makes to the community, region and to the world. To honor the spirit of Rotarianism, an award has been established in his name to honor commitment and advocacy of the programs of the Rotary Club of Bangor; an award to recognize members who demonstrate their own brand of passion, leadership and service. This honor will be bestowed on a deserving individual from time to time, to recognize truly exemplary service of one of our club members.
Criteria
In 2008 the Rotary Club of Bangor Board and Membership established the Charles F. Bragg, 2nd Rotary Club Leadership Award. Members of the Rotary Club of Bangor will be eligible to receive a "Charlie" after a minimum 10 years continuous service with the club and upon the nomination by a current or past member with similar club service tenure. An ad-hoc committee consisting of at least four past club presidents and the current club president shall be appointed by the Board of Directors to consider a nomination, and upon a majority vote of the ad-hoc committee will make their recommendations to the Board of Directors. Consideration for the award must include the member's tenured service, leadership, and dedication to fulfilling the mission of the Rotary Club of Bangor, Maine. Nominees need not have filled a formal position in the Club's leadership, but should have demonstrated active formal or informal leadership in a position of service to the club or the community. Recipients will be considered among the very finest examples of Rotary Club leadership and service."
The first "Charlie" was presented to Chick Rauch. Chick was presented with a star statuette and a $1,000 gift to be presented to a non-profit of his choosing in his name. (Chick has designated the Rotary International Foundation). A permanent plaque will be displayed in our meeting place to honor him and future honorees.
Charles "Chick" F. Rauch, Jr has a Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior from Ohio State University, an MBA from Ohio State and an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering (Nuclear Propulsion) from the U. S. Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey. He has a B.S. from the U. S. Naval Academy. His naval career included commanding a nuclear submarine and heading an analysis group in the Office of the CNO. He was Chief Executive under the Commander of U.S. Naval Forces in Vietnam and also Senior Naval Advisor to the Vietnamese Navy. He was Special Assistant to the Chief of Naval Operations and director of the U. S. Navy's Human Resource Management Programs. He came to Maine in 1981 as an Assistant Professor of Management at the College of Business Administration at the University of Maine. He became acting director and finally director of Financial Management for the University of Maine and, in 1991 became the Executive Director, Business and Finance at the University. In 1992 he was Acting President, American University in Bulgaria for one month. In 1992 he was Vice President, Business and Finance, University of Maine. He retired in 1996 from his position as Vice President for Business and Finance. Chick was Treasurer and Chair of the Finance committee of the Board of Directors, Audubon Expedition Institute, member of the Board of Trustees, American University in Bulgaria; Member of the Board of Directors, Bangor Symphony Orchestra-and Treasurer of the Rotary Club of Bangor. We are pleased that someone so dedicated to club, community and country is also an interesting and engaging person.