Rotary, My Story - Patricia Player-Maxwell

(The following narrative is a continuation of a series of how a member was introduced to Rotary and subsequent memories. If you would like Rotary to be part of your life's story, please contact Alison Proctor at alisonproctor@gmail.com.) 

Patricia Player-Maxwell

Rotary Member since May 17 2000

August 2021

May 17, 2000 was my induction to the Rotary Club of Foster City.  Prior , I knew very little of Rotary and its great work in the community.  I was introduced to the ways of Rotary and invited to my first meeting at the club by the then Executive Director of the Foster City Chamber of Commerce, Ms. Barbara Becker.  Giving service has always been a part of my life and I quickly found out that my community-minded ethic would blend well with Rotary’s philosophy of “service above self”.  Serving others has been a part of my life since a very early age.  My role model for this has been Colonel Harold Player.  It was my amazingly good fortune to have been brought up by the Colonel, a man who had given his whole life to service fighting for his country with the British Army. 

 

During my formative years, I was encouraged to do service to others and this led to my starting in the nursing profession in 1967.  My career was furthered when I became a UK State Certified Midwife in 1972.  The profession led me to many interesting parts of the world, where I saw both great wealth and poverty, often starkly juxtaposed to one another.  My time abroad has provided me a deep knowledge, appreciation and understanding of the customs, traditions and religions of others, enriching and further strengthening my desire to help others.  Becoming a Rotarian has been both privilege and pleasure and I always strive to follow Rotary’s Four-Way Test in both my professional and personal life.  I have truly enjoyed my 21-years as a member of the Foster City Rotary Club.

 

During my time here with the club, I’ve made many friends and have used the professional services of our number of our members in many different areas, among them business law, insurance, CPA audit and support, and the purchase of goods and services for many of my clients in the Geriatric Care Management field.  I have also tried to give all of the good service I can in activities ranging from chairing the Safe Streets project for two years, serving on the Club’s Board of Directors, founding and bringing under Rotary sponsorship the very successful Senior Meals Program, starting the Sunshine Committee, the successful Rotary Health and Aging Education Day as well as volunteering at many other Club events, and soliciting the Club’s support and encouragement when I founded the Foster City Village some 8-years ago.  My time with Rotary has been a truly satisfying and personally enriching experience.  I am thankful I joined Rotary, have had so many opportunities to serve and support our community and can look forward to more hours serving others in the future.