Bill Guerrette Hall of Phame Inductee - 2000

September 1st marks the end of an exciting era for the PHCOEM. This date marks the beginning of the first, member elected, administration. Sadly, this also marks the end of the Presidency of Bill Guerrette.

Bill has been the essential ingredient of the growth and prosperity of the PHCOEM. He has been the driving force behind the growth of the club, the immense improvements in the events the club runs, and the phenomenal performance of the club in supporting the Special Olympics and other community organizations.

Almost everyone, especially the ladies, knows Bill. His white hair and Cheshire cat grin have been a staple at our events since he joined the club. Should he and his ever-patient wife, Jan, miss a couple of events in a row there are inevitable questions as to where they are hiding.

While Bill’s presence at events has made him the best known face in PHCOEM, those of us who have worked with him behind the scenes also know the dedication of spirit, time, and resources that he has graciously imparted to the club. His hard work, organization, and, most importantly, his guiding vision has been the source for each and every successful event.

I can relate several pages full of the work that Bill has done in the name of the club. I could recount the countless hours he and Jan spent pulling together the most successful New England Convention (Framingham) to date. I could not even begin to count the number of times he has pointed the Bored in the correct direction with an idea or suggestion. Suffice it to say that as much as the Bored of Directors and the PHCOEM are a collaborative effort, they still require a guiding hand. Bill went beyond the guiding hand and imbued his spirit and his vision for a club that is for the members and provides them with as many opportunities to participate as possible. His influence will un-doubtedly continue because he will not escape the present Bored’s questions and pleas for wisdom.

As Bill’s, successor and more importantly his friend, I can honestly say that he is about to receive a well-deserved rest from some of the rigors of running a volunteer organization of this size. So, when you run into Bill at an event shake his hand, unless you are female then you can hug him, and say thank-you for his dedication and more importantly his Parrot Head spirit.