District 6860 Legacy Dinner Honors RCB Past President Charles Collat
RCB Past President Charles A. Collat with Rotary International President R. Gordon R. McInally, RI Past President Mark Maloney and Past Assistant District 6860 Governor Gay Maloney.
Rotary District 6860's Legacy Dinner: Creating Hope in the World was held on the evening of February 23rd at The Harbert Center. Rotary Club of Birmingham Past President Charles A. Collat, Sr. was honored in recognition of his leadership in Rotary and his generosity to Rotary International. Rotarians from all over the district were in attendance along with current Rotary International President R. Gordon R. McInally. The date also marked the 119th anniversary of the founding of Rotary International.
The Million Dollar Dinner Campaign event celebrated the collective commitment of individuals who pledged $10,000 or more to The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International during the campaign period. President McInally announced the tremendous success of the campaign that surpassed its goal of $1 million, raising $2,729,863 for the Rotary Foundation Endowment Fund. Proceeds support annual programs, including District 6860 grant activities that largely support local projects; World Fund for the greater good of Rotary; funding for Rotary Peace Fellows to attend premier global institutions of learning; and areas of focus such as Water & Sanitation, Maternal & Child Health, Basic Education & Literacy, Peace & Conflict Prevention & Resolution, Disease Prevention & Treatment, Economic & Community Development, and the Environment.
Congratulations to the entire campaign team, including Past RCB President Eric Jack and Rotarian Jeris Gaston.
Tribute to Charles A. Collat, Sr. by Gordon G. Martin
Rotary Legacy Dinner, February 23, 2024
Good evening,
I am the other Gordon. As Jeris said, I have the privilege of serving as the president of the Rotary Club of Birmingham in its 110th year, begun just eight years after the founding of Rotary. If I am to believe Ancestry.com, I am likely a part of the clan of the main Gordon (that’s C L A N), but I don’t have a kilt and I am wearing underwear. As the home of two former Rotary International presidents, four counting Glen Estes of Shades Valley Rotary and, of course, Mark Maloney, who you will hear from in just a minute, we are honored to have President Gordon here on the birthday of Rotary.
Our district director, Mary Grace Evans, has taken Gordon and Heather on a whirlwind tour of the Magic City, including a stop at my club’s centennial project, Rotary Trail. Of course, a visit to Alabama would not be complete without a visit to Back Forty Beer. So Mary Grace took Gordon, Mark Maloney, and Hatton Smith there for a drink. They were outside and unfortunately each spotted a fly in his beer. Hatton, who is of English stock, pushed his beer away in disgust. Mark, who, as you may have guessed, is of Irish heritage, flicked the fly out and continued drinking. Gordon, in true Scottish fashion, grabbed the fly, shook it over his glass and shouted: "Spit it out, ya wee bastard!"
But I digress.
I’m actually up here to celebrate and honor an extraordinary individual whose contributions have left an indelible mark on our community—Charles A. Collat, Sr., a man whose commitment to service and philanthropy has touched countless lives, especially within the Rotary world.
Charles’s journey is one of dedication and leadership. From his humble beginnings at Mayer Electric Supply Company to becoming its Chairman and CEO, he exemplified the ideals of Rotary by growing the company within the framework of the Four-Way Test.
In 2003-2004, Charles took on the role of President of the Rotary Club of Birmingham, a pivotal time during which he spearheaded the club's first five-year strategic plan. This visionary plan laid the foundation for transformative projects, including the groundbreaking PreSchool Learning Initiative—a testament to Charles's unwavering commitment to early childhood education.
Under his leadership, the Rotary Club of Birmingham flourished, not only in its local impact but also on a global scale. Charles established the Rotaract Club of Birmingham, a dynamic organization that has grown to over 250 young professionals, making it one of the largest Rotaract Clubs in the world. This initiative stands as a beacon of leadership development, a testament to Charles's foresight and commitment to nurturing the next generation of community leaders.
Charles’s philanthropic endeavors extend far beyond the Rotary Club. His involvement in various community organizations, such as the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind, the Alabama Symphony, Birmingham-Southern College, the Boy Scouts, Junior Achievement, O’Neal Library, UAB’s Collat School of Business, the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, Temple Emanu-El, and the United Way – believe it or not, just to name a few – showcases his dedication to making Birmingham – and the world – a better place for everyone.
His strategic vision and tireless efforts led to the growth of the Rotary Club of Birmingham Foundation, enabling the establishment of scholarships that continue to benefit students today. Charles's impact on education is not confined to a single initiative; it's a ripple effect, creating opportunities that resonate through generations.
As a member of the Arch Klumph Society Foundation Circle, Charles has shown his unwavering support for The Rotary Foundation, contributing to its global mission of doing good in the world.
Looking back at the Rotarygram from 2004, here are some descriptive words used to sum up Charles’s leadership style: energized, visionary, motivating, unrelenting, cheerful, respectful, steady, dependable, sophisticated, grateful, graceful, and dedicated.
Charles Collat's legacy is one of vision, dedication, and compassion. His impact on the Rotary Club of Birmingham, District 6860, Rotary International, and the broader community is immeasurable. Please join me in expressing our deepest gratitude to a man who has made Birmingham and beyond a better place for us all.