Rotary CLub

Annette and I spent Friday and Saturday at the Provo Marriott (Whohoo!!) attending a Rotary President Elect Training Seminar. I have been a member of the Brigham City Rotary Club since 1996 but have not been near as involved as I should have been until the last few years. Of course, with greater involvement, comes greater.......involvement. A year or so ago, I was asked if I would be willing to be the President Elect Nominee, which meant the following year I would be President Elect and then Club President.

Well, July 1, 2009 my Rotary year as club President begins and there's lots to do, learn and know already.

Far too many people ask; "So what's Rotary?". And far too many think it's a bunch of old men that sit around together and eat lunch once a week. And, I guess it's fair to say, there are a few of those. Even I was one at one point. Then I decided there had to be more to Rotary and knew the only way I was going to find out, was to get involved.

Rotary International is the world's first service club. It was started over 100 years ago by four men in Chicago. The point was to pool ideas and resources and provide service to others. From it's very meager beginnings and it's very first community service project (public tiolets in downtown Chicago), it has grown to a world wide organization of over 1.2 million members. And hundreds, if not thousands of community, national and international service projects throught the world.

It's most notable standard is known as

"The Four Way Test of the things we think, do and say:
1. Is it the truth?
2. Is it fair to all concerned?
3. Will it build good will and better friendships?
4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned.

Probably the most notable humanitarian service project is the Polio Plus project, started in 1985. In the last 29 years, Rotary International has donated millions of dollars and man hours to work towards the goal of complete eradication of Polio throughout the world. And we are very close. There are now only four countries in the world where polio remains a threat. Pakistan, Afganistan, India and Nigeria. (coincidentally, the initials spell PAIN).

Check out more here:

http://www.rotary.org/en/ServiceAndFellowship/Polio/FactsAboutPolio/Pages/ridefault.aspx

Our local club, while donating reglaurly to Polio Plus as well as members participating in International vaccination trips to India, has also participated recently in humanitarian projects in Peru, Belarus, and India. And we have been instrumental in providing a vary nice park in Brigham City, aptly titled Rotary Constitution Park. We have provided playgound equipment, a bowery and regular maintenance. Our next project will be a cement walking path around the park.

Needless to say, there's lots going on in my Rotary Club. It works for me and provides a great opportunity to give of my time, talents and means to an organization that is voluntary and truly provides humanitarian aid throughout the world. Very much like the Church. And I know and trust the character and intent of both completely.

I'm especially excited that Annette attended with me this afternoon and has now caught the vision of the organizationa and is excited to join our local club and get invloved!

OK, I've rambled on enough for now. More to come. I'm going to really try to get online more often and post.

The family is doing great and everyone is well. It doesn't get much better than that. We are so blessed!