6840 Newsletter – My Passion for Rotary
For me, Rotary is about the opportunity. Through Rotary, I have been able to give back to my community here and around the world in so many ways for kids, nutrition, literacy, health, disaster relief, business ethics, and international service; whatever has interested me, there has been a way to get involved and join with other members of my club to make it happen.
I got into Rotary for networking, and it has been well worth my investment of time. Over the years I generated hundreds of thousands of dollars for WYES-TV/channel 12 where I worked through member networking.
After I retired from WYES, I stayed in Rotary because of Rotarians, and the fellowship they give to me every time I encounter them.
But little did I realize that there was another hidden benefit for me. These were the opportunities Rotary afforded me to volunteer, in so many kinds of service; to do good in the world (as The Rotary Foundation says). And by doing so I increased my knowledge of organizational management, disease prevention, disaster recovery, membership development, public relations, vocational service, fund-raising, French, and - God help me - how to Zoom.
I like to visit new places and figure out what makes them tick. And Rotary has offered me the opportunity to go around the world, to Canada, India, the islands of Guam and Saipan, Germany, South Korea, Australia, South Africa, and put me in touch with great people in the Philippines and France.
I have taken advantage of Rotary Action Groups, by joining the Disaster Network of Assistance RAG, and Rotary Fellowships by becoming an honorary member of the BREW, Beers Rotarians Enjoy Worldwide. And I work with the Rotary USA-France Intercountry Committee to help arrange their biannual peace conferences here and in France, and by encouraging the establishment of twin clubs in 6840 and in France.
Opportunity. That is the promise of Rotary. And it’s worth every minute.