John Foster and his fellow Kaitaia Rotarians begged to differ last week.
Mr Foster insisted that he was "just a member", while everyone else in the room agreed with president Percy Erceg that he had set a benchmark that others would find difficult to surpass.
Mr Foster was celebrating his 50th anniversary, to the day, of his membership of Kaitaia Rotary, but Mr Erceg pointed out that that sterling effort was just part of a bigger picture of service to his community.
He had been a Mason for 56 years, an active member of St John for 42 years (and was still a Serving Brother), a member of the Manchester Unity Lodge for 60 years, a founder and life member of the Kaitaia Probus Club and a life member of the Kaitaia Tennis and Squash Club.
His service to Rotary had been recognised with a Paul Harris Fellowship and a Sapphire pin.
Assistant District Governor Chris Burrows said Mr Foster was one of the organisation's longest-serving members, while at the other end of the spectrum the evening was notable for the induction of two newcomers, Roberta Murray and Tony Yates.
Mr Foster had made his mark, he added, by constantly wearing a big smile and with his "big, warm laugh".
He also presented him with a letter of congratulations from Rotary International president Sakuji Tanaka, who described his achievement as a reflection of his dedication to Rotary and the satisfaction he had found through Rotary service.
"The length of your service speaks of the depth of your commitment," he added.
Mr Erceg also presented him with a plaque, noting his contribution had exemplified the motto of "Service before self".
When he was permitted to speak Mr Foster recalled that his first official role as a Rotarian had been that of keeper of the banners, which he had been expected to display before each meeting (in the bowling club pavilion in Matthews' Avenue) and to pack them away again later.
The unwavering support of his late wife Judy had allowed him to do all he had done over the years, while had made and kept many good Rotary friends.
Graham Sanders and Trevor Brake, with whom he had founded the Probus Club, were remembered with particular affection.
Earlier he recalled that when he joined, at the tender age of 35, Kaitaia Rotary had 42 members. By the end of that year it had grown to 50, and reached its peak of 64 in 1973, when he was president.
And how much had he put into the fines box over the past half-century?
"Megabucks," he said, with a big smile and a big warm laugh.
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Mr Foster's contribution to Kaitaia Rotary is far from over. In 2004 he wrote a history of the club to mark its first 50 years, and he was planning to add a second volume next year to cover the ensuing decade, "If I'm still here and I've got my marbles".