As put all our energies into our BIGGEST fundraiser this weekend, Rotary International is hosting its annual International Convention in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Rotarians from around the world will come together to celebrate past achievements and focus on future strategic projects that address some of the world's most significant problems. Local club members Debbie Wilde, Charlene Revoir, Jim Ingraham, and Stig Svedberg (?) will be attending. We should expect them to return with new ideas and energy for the coming year.
Founded in 1905 by Chicago attorney, Paul Harris, Rotary was established so professionals with diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas and form meaningful, lifelong friendships. Over time, Rotary’s reach and vision gradually extended to humanitarian service. Members have a long track record of addressing challenges in their communities and around the world. (www.rotary.org/history)
Rotary has two official mottos: "Service Above Self" is the one we know well and is repeated often. The other, "One Profits Most Who Serves Best," is equally important and focuses on the return that service brings to the individual and to their organization. It's a concept that quickly resonated around the world. In a mere 16 years after it's founding, Rotary clubs could be found on 6 continents.
That global involvement continues today. There are over 1.2 million Rotarians putting service above self in large and small ways. Rotary's official website - rotary.org - is a great way to learn more about all the ways clubs are serving the needs of world's most vulnerable and partnering with local communities to help them address their local issues and needs.
We belong to an amazing world-wide organization of service-minded people. What great company to keep!