Principal Officer Ellen Wong, US Consulate General, Edinburgh
Thu, Oct 10th 2019 at 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Ms Wong will address the members on her role in Scotland and recent events, here and in her country. This evening will be a joint meeting with the Rotary Club of Hamilton
H&R: Andrew Steven & Ian St John
VoT: Callan Dick
Tonight was a special night at the Rotary Club of Motherwell and Wishaw when fourteen members of the Rotary Club of Hamilton made the short trip over the Clyde to enjoy their daughter Club's hospitality.
The guest speaker was Ellen Wong, the Principal Officer of the U.S. Consulate General in Edinburgh, a role she has held since October 2018. As Head of the Consulate, she is responsible for all American Citizen Services in Scotland, and promoting the U.S.-Scottish relationship.
Ellen previously served as the Deputy Political and Economic Counsellor at the U.S. Embassy in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and formerly as the Senior Country Officer for Germany. From 2010 to 2015, Ellen served in Beijing, China and as Special Assistant for East Asia and the Pacific in the Office of the Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment. Earlier Department of State assignments included Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Ellen has a BA in Politics and German from Princeton University, and an MA from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.
She said that she is loving her Scottish assignment and is both challenged and inspired by the complex political and policy positions in Scotland and their implications for trade and relations with the USA. She spoke about the commonality between Scotland and the USA citing 27 American Presidents who had some Scottish heritage. Ellen said that she thinks that the special relationship between both countries is real because it transcends politics and political leaders as it emanates from people with language, cultural and historical ties.
Ellen then assisted President Andrew Murray in presenting the Paul Harris Fellowship to Past President Jim Robertson. Tom McPherson gave the citation detailing Jim's involvement with Rotary over the past thirty-five years, citing the example of Jim leading the organisation the District Conference in Aberdeen when the Club's own John Mair was installed as the District Governor.
Ellen’s, most enjoyable address was followed by a lively question and answer session and the vote of thanks was proposed by Callan Dick.
'What We Do' Main Pages:
Working with the Head Teacher and staff of Coltness High School, the Rotary Club of Motherwell and Wishaw has agreed to sponsor an Interact Club
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The members of the Rotary Club of Motherwell and Wishaw are proud to recognise the outstanding service given by Past President Jim Robertson in his thirty-five years in our Club
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The Furniture for Families Project provides furniture and household items to families in need within our service areas - Motherwell, Wishaw, Bellshill and Larkhall.
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The Rotary Club of Motherwell and Wishaw recognises the importance of building and maintaining close links with the youth of today, through the schools and youth organisations in our community
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The members of the Rotary Club of Motherwell and Wishaw are delighted to welcome our second new member inducted online, Jean Murray.
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For a Registration Fee, members of the Club will support cyclists, riding to raise funds for named charities.
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On 15th and 22nd December, Santa, and some Rotarian helpers, toured Motherwell, then Wishaw, spreading Christmas Spirit and raising funds for various charities.
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The members of the Rotary Club of Motherwell and Wishaw are proud to support the Rotary Club of Chelmer Bridge, in the 2019 Rotary Poppy Pin Appeal to raise funds for the Royal British Legion, including Poppy Scotland
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For the second year, the members of the Rotary Club of Motherwell and Wishaw welcome our new President, Charles Keeper, online!!
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Golf tournament, for the Douglas Clementson Trophy, participating teams being from our local secondary schools to be held at Colville Park Golf Course
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An annual event for primary schools in the Larkhall area being held for the first time by the Rotary Club of Motherwell and Wishaw (previously run by Clyde Valley Rotary Club)
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The members of the Rotary Club of Motherwell and Wishaw welcome President Katrina in unusual circumstances!!
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As a Club, we sponsor the attendance of at least two young people on this fantastic award scheme
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For more than 30 years, Rotary, and our partners, have been working to End Polio Now. We"™re this close to ending the disease forever. Join us!
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Tablets, equipped with dementia friendly apps, are delivered to two nursing homes for the use of their residents
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The members of the Rotary Club of Motherwell and Wishaw are delighted to welcome our newest recruit, David Crichton.
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When asked if we could help one of our local primary schools make and build a hut for their garden projects how could we refuse, and what a fantastic day we had doing it.
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The members of the Rotary Club of Motherwell and Wishaw are delighted to welcome another new member inducted online, David Grieve
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