Dear Fellow Rotarians,
Geometry was great. Trig and calculus not so much. Beyond my years at school, I have struggled to read financial reports. I do balance my checkbook. But -- well, why do I tell you that? Three reasons: which fall at our local club, the district, and at Rotary’s international level.
First, this Thursday, following our regular morning meeting, there will be a hybrid Board meeting both at Brookside Country Club and on Vox Tandem. So once again, I am peering at our own balance sheet. As the Rotary year 2020-2021 ends and designated funds are released, it seems harder to find wiggle room for incidental expenses that come up. That is alright as I am backed up by Chris Wills who does know numbers! And because I have learned that Emmaus Rotary is always reaching to do more, do it with less, and do it gracefully with a big heart for service. What I am looking for right now are your questions and agenda items. Let me know, please.
Second, as your President, one of my assigned tasks is to sign off on the District 7430 proposed budget. So I am asking my questions! All that is good and energizing at our club level, perks up to the district level. We have several members very active in the district. Thank you to Cindy, Bill, Gary, Dee, Valerie, Rose, and now - Rick. Let me take a moment to remind you that this year’s Tri-District Conference is virtual on April 30, May 1 and 2nd. The link to register is Discon2021.com Brian Casey is the Registrar (brian.casey@swarthmorerotary.org) There is a $25 fee.
Third, it is the big numbers at the international level that I want to highlight. Did you know that the Rotary Foundation is a billion-dollar engine for our grants and projects? I finally got some help to wrap my mind around that amount. One million seconds pass in roughly 11 days. Less than 2 weeks. It takes years and years --- 31 ½ years -- for one billion seconds to click by! (see footnote) Service is the heart of Rotary and our Rotary Foundation pumps blood throughout the body of Rotary. We are the head, hands, and shoulders --- we see the needs and plan ways to help, we reach out to give and put our muscles into everything we do. Together! We act around the globe, in our communities, and within ourselves to make a difference. Thank you to everyone who has already supported this year’s EREY drive- Every Rotarian Every Year is asked to give $100 to the Rotary Foundation.
Yours in Service,
Lexa Shallcross
Emmaus Rotary President 2020-2021
Footnote: The YouTube Formula by Derral Eves, p. 19
On page 26, Eves notes that in 2019 1 billion hours of YouTube were watched daily!
