. . . as visions of sugar plums danced in their heads . . .
For most of us, whether or not of Christian faith, Christmas dominates this time of year. As children, we imagined the gifts we would receive. Perhaps we imagined the special treats we would enjoy at a festive dinner, luncheon buffet or breakfast. (For decades, one of my favorite treats was "sticky bread" on Christmas morning.)
As children, we didn't consider the work it took to assemble the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of the season. We gave no thought to the hours of work our parents, grandparents, other family members and friends put in to pay for the gifts of the season. Now, as adults, we are fully aware of the work it takes to put on a holiday celebration.
As we head toward Chanukah (menorah lighting and concert at Pacific Commons Tuesday), Christmas and New Year's Day, we can imagine what we will experience. And as the new year approaches, we take time to reflect on the past year and imagine what we can do to make the new year even more of what we want for ourselves, friends and family.
In Newark Rotary, we are blessed to have a club that allows us to develop friendships and enjoy opportunities for service to our community and broader mankind. Our ability to receive the benefits of this club depends on the work it takes to build and maintain a strong foundation. And the long-term success of our club depends on a foundation on which it is easy to grow and sustain membership - that feels easy and inviting to join, feel welcome in, and supported as we develop into leadership roles.
In this season of celebration, reflection and imagination, I encourage you to imagine the Rotary Club of Newark as the perfect club for you and the community we live in. Give some thought to what the perfect Newark Rotary Club would look like and feel like for you and for new members. Imagine how we can have overflow attendance in our "VIP" meeting room every week.
After you've imagined what the perfect club would look like, give some thought to how it would be built and sustained. Then, think about the small things you can do to help turn vision into reality.
During the holidays, I will be imagining each and every one of you enjoying time with loved ones. I will imagine you relaxing and restoring yourself as you reflect, celebrate and look to the new year. I will imagine us coming together in 2018 to host our best crab feed ever, and then turn our attention to making Newark Rotary an even stronger club, where we embody the first object of Rotary: the development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service. And I will be imagining it becoming easier and easier to sustain our club as a place where guests want to join us for a future of Rotary service.
Wishing you a happy season, however you, your family and your friends celebrate.
Laurence Hansen
President 2017-2018, Rotary Club of Newark, California
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