Thanking Tracy Arabian for sending this information to GMG.

MEDIA RELEASE

Contacts: Steve Kaity, 978-879-1051, Michael Costello, 978-546-7140

ROTARY’S HIGHEST AWARD

TO DOUCETTE, SHATFORD

The Gloucester Rotary Club has named Rick Doucette and Doug Shatford as Paul Harris Fellows, the prestigious award named after the Chicago lawyer who founded the Rotary movement in 1905. Doucette was selected by a Club committee of previous recipients of the award, while Shatford was chosen by members of the Interact Club, the very active group of Gloucester High School junior Rotarians.  Doucette and Shatford will be honored at a special dinner on Tuesday, May 12, at Cruiseport Gloucester, located at 6 Rowe Square in downtown Gloucester. The social hour will begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m.

Rick Doucette was born and raised in Gloucester, and is a proud product of the Gloucester public school system.

Rick has served as Executive Director of the Cape Ann YMCA since May 2002, turning his focus specifically to Teen & Camp Services in 2008.  Rick began his career at the YMCA as a Counselor-In-Training (CIT) at Camp Spindrift in 1984.  Through his career, Rick developed many new innovative programs and initiatives that remain as “mainstays” of the YMCA youth and family programming. These include unprecedented levels of growth and participation at Spindrift, the Friday Night Fun program, the afterschool child care program, Y Teen Leaders Rockathon, teen service trips, sports leagues, many of other youth and teen initiatives.

In addition to his work with the YMCA, Rick also spent four-and-a-half years as a faculty member at O’Maley Middle School.  Rick has been very active in the community throughout his adult life, coaching Senior Little League, Pee Wee Football and Fisherman Youth Soccer and serving on various civic and municipal committees.  Rick currently serves as co-President of the Gloucester Pride Stride Committee, a Trustee of Awesome Gloucester, a member of the O’Maley S.A.I.L.S. Team, and a charter member with Theatre in the Pines.  Rick is very proud to be a member of the Gloucester Rotary Club and served as its President in 2013-14.

An accomplished actor, Rick has performed locally in numerous productions as well as on stages in Boston, New York and London.  Rick has earned praise and positive recognition for his work in several short film projects – in particular earning awards at the Woods Hole Film Festival and the Manhattan Short Film Festival.

Doug Shatford has been a pillar of the Magnolia community for many years. Another Gloucester boy, Doug is a graduate of Gloucester High School and currently is a co-owner of Machine Technology in Beverly.

Doug’s record of service to the community is extensive.  As a long-time coach of youth sports teams, the co-founder of Citizens for Public Safety (a group dedicated to the re-opening of the Magnolia Fire Station), a member and President of the Magnolia Library Board, and a member of the Magnolia Historical Society and the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). He also belongs to the Magnolia Lions Club and the Tyrian-Ashler-Acacis Lodge of Masons.

Shatford is a known leader in his community.  Whether working to repair the Magnolia pier or coordinating efforts to assist victims of recent fires, or chairing on the local sports team, Doug serves with enthusiasm, kindness, and humility.

Tickets to the Paul Harris Distinguished Service Award Dinner are $47 per person and may be reserved by contacting event Chairman Steve Kaity at 978-879-1051. The Dinner is open to the general public, and friends and colleagues of Doucette and Shatford are encouraged to attend.