District Governor Austin puts the "bite" on area Rotarians

 
Have you been bitten?

The only correct answer was "yes" for members of Rotary Club of North Port Arthur. She said they must be bitten by the bug of passion for action, and the bug won't bite those who are sitting still.

District Gov. Rose Austin promised the "microwave" version of her talk at Monday's meeting at the Southeast Texas Medical Center. If she didn't see attentive heads nodding, she'd give her longer, preacher version, she told her audience.

"Your club is fortunate to have Ursula," Austin said, referring to Ursula Lefkowitz.

Members laughed at Austin's promise to buy tickets for the Christmas tree skirt drawing, because for years they've supported Lefkowtiz's aggressive ticket selling so the annual skirt give away can fund holiday parties at Hughen Center.

"With all of this great leadership I expect you'll be able to be bigger, bolder and better," Austin said.

Austin, district governor of region 5910, lives in Houston and her home club is the East Montgomery County Rotary.

She asked readers to take stock of who is eager to serve on service, youth and foundation projects, because often 30 percent of members tackle most of the work. She said this season is a new Rotary year.

"I want to keep you busy," Austin said, and asked repeatedly if members had been "bitten" by the passion bug.

In a verbal crescendo, she roused affirmative responses from members who said they have been bitten.

Rotarians are not to eat, burp and go home from meetings, Austin said.

They should not be CAVE men and women, as in Citizens Against Virtually Everything.

They are not to be RINOS, Rotarians in Name Only.

They must follow through on commitments to build communities and bridge continents, Austin said.

She reminded members of their commitment to eradicate polio and noted Bill Gates has contributed millions of dollars toward the project with a challenge for Rotarians to raise more.

Austin said that through ingenuity and leadership, Rotarians will use their skills to make their communities better places. Her examples included dentists who offer free checkups and financial planners who offer seminars.

She said she's working with the Palestine club to create a sister city relationship in Palestine overseas and is working to get Rotary projects in elementary schools.

A Million Dollar Dinner is set for Nov. 13 in League City to encourage members to include Rotary in their wills.

There's also a drive for Rotarian spouses to get Internet messages so they can be aware of vital programs, Austin said.

She joked that Rotarians often don't discuss their club projects with spouses. She attended Monday's meeting  with her own husband, Milton. The speaker said he always asks her what she is going to talk about.

"My answer is always the same. About 15 minutes," she joked.

Her audience passed the attention test and received the microwave version, still discussing how "bitten" they were in the parking lot.

ddoiron@panews.co