Stories

 

As I reflect on my first encounter with Rotary, I still remember sitting beside my father, listening to the Auction on the radio, captivated by the community spirit and dedication Rotary clubs represent.

This year, I have set several goals to help us continue our vital work in the community. First and foremost, I aim to enhance our community events and further support local organizations, ensuring our impact is felt widely. Additionally, I would like to focus on building our membership and welcoming new faces while strengthening our bonds with current members. We also have exciting plans for one or two new fundraising initiatives to engage us all and foster a greater sense of community. Our theme for the year, “The Magic of Rotary,” draws inspiration from the wonder and joy that organizations like Disney bring to our lives. Just as Disney crafts unforgettable experiences, we, too, can create a magical impact through our service and camaraderie. Together, let's continue to spread the magic of Rotary in Attleboro!

When I first became a Rotarian, I did not fully understand the word "classification" as it related to membership and its significance for the club. But I had heard from several club members that the classification speeches were among some of their favorite meetings. A few weeks into my membership, a classification speech was given and I instantly understood what makes it so endearing.

 

I came to learn that a classification is a category of profession lent to a member upon joining and typically reflects that member's primary occupation and source of income. A classification speech is given by a member (typically early on) as an opportunity for others to learn more about their fellow Rotarian. And while the framework of the speech typically chronicles a cadence of career and family, it is usually embedded with interesting tidbits and a flavor of the speaker's personality, leaving members to say, "I never knew that about so-and-so!".  It too has become a cherished component of Rotary for me.

 

Rotary is rich in tradition and history and I am proud to learn how thoughtfully designed and deliberate these traditions are. In the interest of sharing more detail, I'm including a link to an article that provides the history behind the classification design and how to deliver a classification speech. Perhaps my biggest take-away from learning about the classification design is that its purpose is to cultivate a diverse club and foster a membership which consists of a cross-section of the community at large.  The very nature of which is intentioned to create an environment full of ideas, connections and interests to be shared for all.

 

 

 

 

This year's president of the Attleboro Rotary Club, Amanda Adams, invites the club to be more visible in the community. With a mantra of "be what others can see", she hopes that other service-minded individuals in the community will recognize the Attleboro Rotary Club as an organization they can be a part of.

 

Polio is almost completely eradicated. But as Bruce Aylward says: Almost isn't good enough with a disease this terrifying. Aylward lays out the plan to continue the scientific miracle that ended polio in most of the world -- and to snuff it out everywhere, forever.