Clearwater Beach Rotarian Is New Rotary District GovernorBy Anne McKay Garris
Rotarian Hilmer Beckers will be new Governor of local Rotary District. Veteran Rotarian Hilmer Beckers, a member of the Clearwater Beach Rotary Club of Rotary International, has recently been appointed to be governor of Florida Rotary District 6950. A venerable organization, Rotary International held it's first meeting in Chicago, in 1905, and has grown to be one of the largest service clubs in the world. With clubs in most countries, Rotary sponsors world-wide humanitarian projects, including the almost complete eradication of Polio. Beckers joined the Clearwater Beach Club in 2000, coming from years of service in five other clubs in two other countries. A native of Belgium, he survived the deprivations of the Second World War and its aftermath, growing up to serve as an officer in the famous Black Berets. After serving in positions of leadership in pharmaceutical companies in Belgium, England and the United States, he, and his wife, Anne-Marie, retired to Clearwater where he opened his own business, PharmaLink, Inc. which processes pharmaceutical returns and disposal for pharmacies, hospitals, doctor's offices and veterinary clinics nationwide. He first joined the Rotary Club of Aarschot in Belgium, serving as president, twice, and acting as Special Representative to the District Governor in starting a new Rotary Club in Heist-op-den-Berg. In England, Becker was a member of first the Rotary Club of Maidenhead, then the Rotary Club of Camberley. The Clearwater Beach club elected him President in 2003 and he has served on the club's Rotary Foundation Committee since 2003, increasing the club's contributions to the Foundation's scholarship funds. Now serving his second year as Assistant District Governor in District 6950, Becker is working to assist the newly formed Clearwater Sunset Club to obtain their charter within the year. The responsibilities for Rotary District Governor extend over a three-year period. Starting as Governor Nominee for a year, then going on to Governor Elect for the second year, Becker will be in the position of Governor for the year 2012/2013. The position requires extensive travel and multiple hours attending club meetings and watching over the welfare of the local clubs. Angela Monteith, current Clearwater Beach Rotary president, expressed her delight that Hilmer Becker had been appointed Governor. "I know he'll do a fantastic job," she said. "He is a true Rotarian and I look forward to working with him as Governor." Monteith was among the many Rotarians in the district who urged Hilmer to agree to apply for District Governor. "I didn't go looking for it," he says, "but I believe in the Rotary motto, Service Above Self, and people kept asking me to serve." Becker has definite goals for his time as Governor. "I want to bring the District closer to the clubs," he says. "I've visited clubs where the members come, enjoy a meal and a speech and go home," he says. "Rotary, its district activities and international programs, are not discussed. I want the clubs to know what's going on in the Districts and the District to know what's going on in the clubs." Members of Clearwater Beach Rotary know that Governor Hilmer will be especially welcomed. They have long benefited from his enthusiastic participation in their projects, but they especially appreciate his ability to tell good jokes, as he is often called upon to do at their meetings.
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