Meet Bill Abel!
Bill Abel
This month’s Member Spotlight features a Sunrise Rotarian who has spent 36 years serving, traveling, and proving that “service in spite of self” can be surprisingly rewarding.
Why did you join Rotary?
Quite by accident. Members of my poker group were Sunrise Rotarians. They invited me to attend a few club meetings and one day (without prior knowledge) I was inducted into the club in July, 1989. Thirty six years ago…who knew?
What has been your most meaningful or memorable Rotary experience?
Too many and too diverse to pick a single one. Here are a few: Three RI Conventions, Glasgow, Chicago and Los Angeles; serving as Club President; serving as Group Representative; serving as Assistant Governor twice; serving on every club committee; building Rotary Fiesta parade floats; delivering a Santa Barbara MTD bus to a Mexican orphanage; several cataract surgical experiences in Celaya, Mexico; many community service projects i.e. Elings Park Picnic Area, Camp Whittier, dental clinic, school dictionaries, etc.; PRLS Leadership Seminars; District conferences and on and on. I also enjoy photography, humor and presidential step-downs.
What have you learned or gained through Rotary?
Rotary opens the whole world to its members who can achieve unbelievable growth in leadership and personal attributes too numerous to mention. A Rotarian is rewarded in unexpected ways limited only by what challenges he or she is willing to accept. Totally amazing!
When you're not Rotary-ing, how do you like to spend your time?
After college and a bit of flight training in the U.S. Navy, my wife, Jan, and I traveled to seventy-four countries on six continents. I used to go fishing in local waters and once caught a world record White Sea Bass. Today I work at a local gun club helping folks who engage in trap and skeet shooting.
What does "service above self" mean to you?
I used to joke that in my case it was “service in spite of self” as I am amazed that the Sunrise Rotary Club would tolerate me as a “member” but, again, the secondary Rotary motto “He profits most who serves best” is absolutely true. I have truly enjoyed working and serving with my fellow club members.
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Each month’s Member Spotlight features a Rotarian sharing their story, experiences, and what Rotary means to them. These spotlights celebrate the diverse paths that bring us together in service and fellowship and show how Rotary makes a difference both locally and globally. We hope you’ll enjoy getting to know our members in a new way and perhaps be inspired to imagine your own Rotary journey.