SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - The third time was the charm for Craig Hockridge. He moved to Yellowknife in 1981, then again in 1999 and for a third time in 2001.

Craig Hockridge stands at the Rotary Centennial Waterfront Park on the shore of Great Slave Lake. Hockridge is president-elect of the Rotary Club of Yellowknife and will take over as president in July. - Christina Gray/NNSL photo

"Just like everybody else, I came up to do my two years, three years, whatever and then go back south." The third time he stayed, and eight years later Hockridge is president-elect of the Rotary Club of Yellowknife and will take over as president in July.

A project manager for the NWT Housing Corporation, he said he will have a lot on his plate with all the annual Rotary programs, but will also sit down with the executive in February to outline plans and goals for his year as president.

Hockridge said since he's spent the past couple of years in training, he's definitely ready for the job. "The process is actually a four-year commitment," he said.

He started off as a director on the executive, then moved up to vice-president, then president elect, and in July he will start his one-year term as president. After that he will serve another year as past president.

Throughout the year, Rotary runs a number of programs in Yellowknife schools and across the city. Members volunteer to read with children at Weledeh Catholic School and deliver healthy snacks to Weledeh and Mildred Hall School. They also organize trips to Yellowknife for Rotary exchange students and they organize Yellowknife's Canada Day parade.

The club has also helped communities in other countries, said Hockridge. They've sent wheelchairs to Mexico and teachers to Belize, to name a few.

Hockridge's eighth year in Yellowknife is also his eighth year as a Rotarian.

"When I moved up here, I couldn't think of a better way to get involved in the community and get to know people in the community."

As he starts to plan for his year as president, Hockridge said he just wants to "see the club continue to flourish."