Rotarian honoured with Paul Harris Fellow recognition
Joan Donet’s Rotary journey began with a trip to the park. Since joining in 2009, she has dedicated herself to community service and was recently recognised as a Paul Harris Fellow.
For Joan Donet, being named a Paul Harris Fellow is a meaningful milestone in a Rotary journey that began with an unexpected motivation to get involved.
Donet joined the Rotary Club of Johannesburg New Dawn in 2009 and has since served as its president and taken on longstanding financial responsibilities as its treasurer.
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Her introduction to Rotary came through her late husband, Graham, who had been a Rotarian for many years and helped establish the club alongside other like-minded individuals.
She recalls that when Graham planned an outing to take children to the park, she wanted to join but was told she could not because she was not a Rotarian.
“That did it for me. I became a Rotarian a few months later,” she said.
Since then, Donet has remained committed to helping others, believing that even the smallest acts of kindness can make a meaningful difference.
Having enjoyed a happy childhood, a good education and the support of family and friends, she said she values the opportunity to give back to others.
“The joy on people’s faces when you give of yourself to someone else, be it a smile or a friendly, kind word, is worth more than money can ever buy,” she said.
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Her years with Rotary have also reinforced the importance of learning from experiences and developing a deeper understanding of community needs. She believes resilience and adaptability are essential to effective community service.
As club treasurer, Donet is responsible for ensuring that the organisation’s finances are properly maintained. She said accountability is particularly important because a significant portion of the funds raised comes from members of the public.
The club also maintains ties with The Link Literacy and Numeracy Project, an initiative Donet is proud to continue supporting.
Looking ahead, she hopes to remain involved in efforts to support literacy and assist children in need, continuing a commitment to service that began with a simple decision to get involved.
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