June R. Grace, a member of the Rotary Club of Concord, has been awarded the Rotary International Service Above Self Award by the Rotary International Board of Directors. Grace is one of 101 Rotarians from around the world receiving the highest honor that RI can bestow on a member award this year. Nominees must have demonstrated exemplary humanitarian service, in any form and at any level. Emphasis is placed on personal volunteer efforts and active involvement in helping others through Rotary.
The Rotary Club of Concord honored Grace at a special reception on April 2. District-7910 Governor Victor Tom presented the award to Grace, who was surrounded by family and Rotarian friends.
Her influence has been felt throughout her 20 years as a member of the Rotary Club of Concord and 31 years as a Rotarian, having joined Rotary as a member of the Rotary Club of Worcester in 1992.
Grace is usually the first to raise her hand and offer to help. She shares her skills as an active volunteer, club webmaster, public relations and social media chair and volunteer extraordinaire for club fundraisers.
Grace is passionate about Rotary and this is reflected in her dedication and infectious enthusiasm as she leads by example. When her fellow club members suggest new ways of doing things, Grace says “We can do this.” And then she lends a hand to make the project/event a success.
Grace was an early supporter of the Interact Club at Concord-Carlisle Regional High School. She assisted with the creation of the “Class Act” recognition awards for community service at the high school and organized the construction of a skate park at the high school. She supported the creation of a Reality Fair teaching financial literacy to kids.
Grace helped promote two Rotary global grants – in Haiti and Kenya – sharing in the excitement when the grants were funded. She was an enthusiastic supporter of the Rotary International Ambassadorial program and spearheaded the most recent District-7910 David and Eleanor Morley Endowed Global Grant Scholarship awarded to Camilla Vogt of Concord. Grace and her late husband Buck attended several Rotary International Conventions, and she often represented the club at District-7910 events.
