Club member Ray Bastarache recently addressed the Club about his service trip to Appalachia where he spent a week in Kentucky helping people in an area deep in poverty. He went with a group from local churches and worked in an extremely poor areas. In his opening remarks, he read several statistics which highlighted the plight of the area. High unemployment, below average wage earnings, above average prescription pain medication abuse, and above average cases of depression were measures of the poverty there. He spoke of how a local Catholic priest there created a local economy by organizing donations to the area and by providing jobs in the distribution of the aid. Volunteers from around the country go to the area to help the local population by distributing food and clothing, building and repairing houses, and providing help to the locals in a wide variety of areas. His presentation was a great reminder to club members of the need in this world, and the value of service to others. Their work in Appalachia reminded club members of the Rotary motto, Service Above Self.
Ray had a guest with him that week, Harvey Rowe, of Panakio Insurance Adjusters. Harvey has been to the Appalachia area several times volunteering to help the people of the area. He provided several good stories of his service there, all of which highlighted the plight of the area and the need for help for the local population there. Club member wondered why there was not more governmental help there, in an area of the US, since so much aid is provided all around the world. There were many questions and the dialogue was lively. Club members appreciated the good presentation and, more importantly, the service of Ray and Harvey in that area of the country.
RI President Gary C.K. Huang is urging all Rotary members to Light Up Rotary by organizing a Rotary Day in 2014-15. The concept is simple: hold a fun, informal event in your community to introduce the public to your club and Rotary. You’ll not only improve Rotary’s image in your community, you’ll also boost interest in joining your club.
Host a Rotary Day
Any club, big or small, can host a Rotary Day. Neighboring clubs can pool their resources and co-host an event -- even entire districts can come together for a large-scale Rotary Day. Here are some ideas for your Rotary Day:
An outdoor picnic or barbecue
A sporting event or concert
An event associated with a public parade or festival
An event at a museum, art gallery, or cultural center
The Rotary Board of Directors and other senior leaders will facilitate several national Rotary Days in 2014-15. These events will demonstrate Rotary’s relevance in today’s world and highlight our good work.
If you have not yet signed up to volunteer at My Brothers Table, there is still time. Email Tom Lynch at thomaslynch@ajameslynch.com. Several members have already signed up and the more the merrier. This is a greatly needed service to our community and well worth the time. Not only do you help others, but you also get an appreciation of what we as Rotarians have in this world. We are working on Monday, September 22, 2014 from 4:30 to 7:30. A small investment in time and labor and a huge return to the community and ourselves.
Club member Ray Bastarache recently addressed the Club about his service trip to Appalachia where he spent a week in Kentucky helping people in an area deep in poverty. He went with a group from local churches and worked in an extremely poor areas. In his opening remarks, he read several statistics which highlighted the plight of the area. High unemployment, below average wage earnings, above average prescription pain medication abuse, and above average cases of depression were measures of the poverty there. He spoke of how a local Catholic priest there created a local economy by organizing donations to the area and by providing jobs in the distribution of the aid. Volunteers from around the country go to the area to help the local population by distributing food and clothing, building and repairing houses, and providing help to the locals in a wide variety of areas. His presentation was a great reminder to club members of the need in this world, and the value of service to others. Their work in Appalachia reminded club members of the Rotary motto, Service Above Self.
