JOHN KENNY is looking forward to becoming the president of Rotary International, the first Scot to take up the role in the charity's 102-year history.
A retired lawyer from Linlithgow, he has been unveiled firstly as vice-president, where he will
serve for a year before taking the helm in 2009, as is the Rotary tradition. It is a significant elevation for the 72-year-old, who has been actively involved in his local organisation for almost 40 years.
He has moved to the USA with his wife June to take up the role, which will see him "board a plane every few days" for the demanding job, which involves extensive world travel as well as a lot of work from the Chicago base.
Mr Kenny said: "It is a great honour, not for me but for Scotland. The wife of the founder of Rotary was from Edinburgh so it is nice for (the link] to come back around.
"There is so much to be done. When you are in a position like this you realise how fortunate you are in Scotland."
Mr Kenny was educated at Falkirk High School and Glasgow University.
Upon his marriage he took up residence in Bo'ness where he was session clerk and presbytery elder at Bo'ness Old Parish Church.
After 18 years in Bo'ness he moved the family home to Grangemouth and, three years ago, he and his wife retired to Linlithgow.
A former deputy Lord Lieutenant of Stirling and Falkirk District, he has always been interested in the service of Rotary International.
Among an extensive list of achievements are setting up numerous scout groups in eastern Europe and being past governor of Rotary South of Scotland. He is a past dean of his local law faculty, a judge, and a notary.
He said that efforts to eradicate polio altogether from Africa would be one of the main focuses of his tenure, as well as raising a Saltire on his arrival at the charity headquarters. He is only the fifth-ever Rotary International president from the UK.
Fellow Rotary member and friend Bill McClure, who is president of the Leith Rotary Club, said: "He's a quietish kind of guy and doesn't often speak of the tremendous achievements he has notched up over the years.
"He's very highly thought of and it is a fantastic achievement to become the president of Rotary worldwide."
Former district governor of South of Scotland Rotary, John Lafferty, added: "Our most sincere congratulations go to John and we recognise it is a tremendous honour for him, The Rotary Club of Grangemouth and District 1020.
"I have received numerous e-mails from Rotarians around the world offering their congratulations to John and have responded on our behalf with acknowledgement of how proud we are of him.
"He has given tirelessly to Rotary over his many years of service and now faces one of the greatest challenges in leading Rotary worldwide. I know John will be a credit to our district and on your behalf extend our congratulations and best wishes to him.
"I know we will all rally round and afford John all and any support he may require."
The full article contains 551 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
