Why are you a Rotarian?

Carrie and I are currently in Atlanta, participating in the Rotary International Convention. There are about 37,000 Rotarians here all working towards the same goals – making a difference in the world, making their clubs better, and also making friends despite cultural differences. 

While here, there have been important announcements about polio eradication and human trafficking. There are breakouts and seminars about how to increase membership and service opportunities. However, one of the most important things I’ve heard suggested is to survey your club and yourself about why you are in Rotary. 

We have a lot of random surveys in Rotary about memberships and projects and club satisfaction, but it all comes down to this one question: Why did you join Rotary? 

Was it to volunteer in service projects? Was it to make business contacts? Was it to make friends? 

Whatever your answer to the question, I hope that you think about it for a second. Why have you joined Rotary? Why are you still here? How can the board or your other Rotarian friends help you to be the Rotarian you want to be? 

One of the ideas mentioned at a membership break-out session was to have a service opportunity count as a meeting. We have an upcoming service opportunity that I just wrote about – theJune 17th Freecycle at the Congregational Church from 8:00 to 11:30. This volunteer opportunity now counts as a meeting, if you help out.The best Rotarian friends you make are the ones you serve alongside. And as of right now only board members have volunteered to help at this very simple project. You can show up for one minute or ten, one hour or 3.5 hours, but come and support your community,  support each other. Rotary is about friendship, connections and service. Let’s be the sort of club that rises up to help when help is needed. If you need any more information about the event you can email Carrie at carriejonesbooks@gmail.com

I look forward to seeing you all when I get back. 

Shaun