Recent Print Article on DG Ed Charlesworth
For dedicated Rotarians Dr. Ed Charlesworth and his wife Robin Charlesworth, attending two or three meetings some days is not too much to ask. "We live and breathe Rotary," said Ed, a member since he helped to charter the Willowbrook club in 1984. Robin joined in 1989.
Click here to view the article: Cy-Fair Rotarian Couple Revel in Helping Others
"He brought me into Rotary when he was president, and that was the first year that women were allowed in," Robin said.
Both have thrived in the organization, not only serving in leadership positions including Robin's stint as president in 1998 and 1999 and Ed's current role as governor for Rotary District 5890, but also traveling to several foreign countries such as India, Germany and Nicaragua on behalf of the service organization.
Ed said the trip to India was important because of Rotary's work to eradicate polio. He said India is one of only four remaining countries dealing with the crippling disease, and he and Robin traveled there to help administer polio vaccinations.
They also participated in Nicaragua's Children of the Dump project to help hungry and needy children who had been rooting around garbage dumps for food.
"Rotary began to build schools and provide two hot meals a day for the students," Ed said. "We built water wells for villages, sanitation facilities and homes with sustainable gardens."
Robin said her and her husband's participation in Rotary has allowed them to serve their fellow man in a unique way.
"I've seen extreme poverty in my travels and there are so many people in this world who are in great need of decent living conditions and education," she said. "I just really enjoy helping others. It feels good."
Despite his success as a clinical psychologist and author of three books on stress management, Ed said his work with Rotary has brought about a different dimension to his life.
"I got involved after someone asked me to give a speech after one of my books was published," he said. "At that point I didn't know about Rotary, but serving humanity in this way gives me more purpose in my life and something that I haven't found anywhere else."
Robin holds a master's degree in psychology and works with her husband in their counseling practice as a licensed psychological associate.
The practice, which was founded in 1982, is located near their home in northwest Houston.
Fellow Rotarian Ruth Cassidy called the Charlesworths "generous and hospitable" in their efforts for Rotary.
"The commitment they've made is incredible," she said. "They've hosted people from all over the world in their home.
"They're just very warm, open individuals. They're really quite a team."