A First-Person Account of Membership in Rotary
Nancy Corliss reflects on her experiences in Rotary and how they have benefited her both personally and professionally.
Rotary Roundup
March 2010
This is a first-hand account by Nancy Corliss, a 12-year
What does it mean to be a member of Rotary? When I first joined the club, I had no real understanding of what Rotary membership would come to mean to me. In 1998 I was rather shy and unsure of myself (those who know me today will say they find that hard to believe!). I joined Rotary to meet other business leaders and to discover a means of contributing service to my community.
Over the years I got involved with all five committees and other members were asking me to try things I would never have dared to do previously, such as organizing local high school students to initiate a store for selling school items and coordinating the annual Business of Reading Festival. I learned that I would receive strong support from everyone in the club, and that many of the committees work together to make an event spectacular. Examples of this cooperation are the 4th of July Pancake Breakfast, Seafood Festival and the comedy basketball events.
In 1998 the ratio of men to women in our club was at least four to one. Today it hovers close to 50 percent for men and woman. This helps to make the club more diversified and as one male charter member often comments, "we now get more things done!"
Back to my original question. What does it mean to be a member of Rotary?
I have gained self confidence that has had a positive impact on relationships in Rotary, as well as my management role in my business. I now have more than 60 valued lifetime friends from retirees to business people, whom I would never have known. I have enjoyed the satisfaction of working hard at the annual 4th of July Festival, meeting summer visitors from around the globe, then being able to give away our hard-earned money to nonprofit organizations here and abroad. I have visited other Rotary Clubs in our country and have felt that same warm welcome I feel at home.
Personal growth, valued friendships, and giving service to our local and worldwide community are what it means for me to be a Rotarian. I couldn't ask for more.
You are never alone when you join Rotary. Your mentor, a current active member, will be at your side throughout the first year and beyond. Please visit our website, www.mditorary.org , the Rotary website, www.rotary.org , or better yet, contact our president, Becky Buyers-Basso, 288-3784, about attending a Wednesday luncheon meeting. You will always be welcome.