Musings from a Former President 1/5/2016

As we look forward to 2017 I am guessing there will be times when we all get really busy or frustrated and we will question why we are Rotarians.  No matter how long you have been in Rotary there will be times when your commitment is tested.  If you do ever have those thoughts think of all the good our club did at the end of 2016 and I think you will be convinced that being a Rotarian is actually an important part of your life.

 

            Think of the fact that on December 16, 2016, clearly the coldest day of the latter part of 2016, a bunch of Biddeford Saco Rotarians braved the cold to raise over $2,000 for the Salvation Army absolutely kicking the ass of the Saco Bay Club.  It was pointed out that it was so cold the Fausto wore sleeves and Heather MacLean wore long pants (I am sure she had on her stylish long black gloves on for extra warmth).  Hell, it was so cold I was eyeing some of the larger Walmart Shoppers.  I was going to drop one right in the parking lot, field dress him or her and crawl into the caress to get warm.  Of course, then I realized I could just go inside to warm up so I abandoned by Dancing with Wolves scenario though I did encourage Lucie to shoot me since I had to spend an hour with her. 

 

            The fact is we had a bunch of Rotarians spend one to two hours outside in the dangerously cold temperatures to help others.  I would submit that such an effort is what Rotary is all about.          

 

            I would also suggest that the efforts of our Club, Lucie, Karen, Peggy and others to provide Christmas to over 100 kids was a Herculean task that clearly captures the essence of Rotary.  Our Club is filled with people who have a hard time saying no.  So many Rotarians took time from their families and/or jobs to get information about children, find the money to fund the gifts or provide their own and then did the shopping and wrapping necessary to give the kids some kind of Christmas.  Frequently, these efforts are not really appreciated or perhaps the people are so down and out that they simply do not know how to express their appreciation.  In other instances the parents were incredibly thankful because Rotary provided their kids with something for Christmas and they realized that there are people out there who care.  Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.

 

            Finally, there are times when Rotary is truly a family.  Ralph Bean, husband of long time Rotarian, Peggy Bean passed away.  Our club showed its support for Peggy by showing up in large numbers to pay our respects.  Fausto wore a shirt and tie and Heather MacLean when to her first visiting hours ever.  Of course, we learned later it was because she thought there would be snacks and we did have to watch her to make sure she acted appropriately (don’t touch the pillow!), but she was there to pay her respects.  That kind of support for a member of our Club is what we are all about. 

 

            So when you get sick of shoveling, or you are frustrated because you cannot get your new electronic device to work, or you’re standing in long return lines, or you are sick but you have to drag your ass into work, remember that you were a large or small part of making the holidays a little brighter for a whole bunch of people who really needed our help.  That should make you happy to be a Rotarian and inspire you to stick with it. 

 

            Have a Happy and Healthy 2017!