Thursday, October 6, 2011

Randall's Rotary Rants: Gator Tails!

Snap! You're a Rotarian!??


     Nope, it isn't that easy to join Rotary. You can't just bite your way into a Rotary club! Mr. Alligator here would have to attend some meetings first and meet some folks who would decide, if they thought his intentions were honorable, to "invite" him to join their club. That's not all, either! Once initiated, Ally-the-Gator would be expected to live up to his promises to actively participate in "Service Above Self", helping his club with their projects and activities while "basking in the warmth" of their camraderie. Joining Rotary means committing both time and personal resources to the betterment of others! In the self-centered swamp Mr. Gator comes from, that might not be "business as usual"! In the ever-competitive swamp of human affairs, it often seems that folks act like gators, doesn't it? Me first, right? Snap!?

Well, not always. We Rotarians are NOT "me first" folks! Rotary has 1.2 million members in more than 33,000 clubs spread through out almost every country in the world! Our motto is: Service Above Self! So, why do so many of us join Rotary? Ask different Rotarians why they joined their clubs and you get lots of reasons; some answers might sound kind of different, but they all mostly say the same thing. "I joined Rotary because I wanted to do some good in the world, to give back, to make things better here and abroad . . . to make a difference!" And Rotarians do what they say! We live up to our promises, live by our "Four Way Test", and we accomplish humanitarian projects of scope and scale no world government or other NGO can match! Ending polio, malaria, supplying clean water, medical care, literacy, micro-credit programs, community service projects of all kinds, youth scholarships and exchanges, Peace Scholars, etc., etc., etc.; the list of Rotary's accomplishments seems endless and continues to grow. Being non-partisan, non-political, non-religious, and having an impeccable financial and business reputation, Rotary leads the world as the premier service organization composed of thousands of completely independent clubs! What holds this all together?

All Rotary clubs have a secret ingredient that binds members together and glues clubs together into the cohesive and happy/huge Rotary family: the fun of fellowship! Rotary is fun, and it's even more fun because we Rotarians share all our efforts and good times with our best friends and cohorts in commitment, our other 1.2 million family members we meet in Rotary! Whether it's attending the weekly club meetings, or our special events or working on projects, fund-raisers, club committee meetings, or even attending the yearly Rotary International Conventions which are held all around the world, Rotarians always have fun! This year's convention in New Orleans was a blast! Imagine visiting this city of music and festival, creole and cajun cooking, steamboats and swamps, with the Mississippi rising, and the party never stopping! Now, add to this 19,000 of your best friends all there to share it with you while you meet to swap ideas, share success stories, learn new strategies, and be filled, once again, with the profound inspiration that is Rotary! Nineteen thousand "tourists with a purpose", you and your Rotary family "basking in the warm New Orleans sunshine and in the glow of Rotary fellowship"! Life-changing experiences are Rotary's "stock and trade". We absolutely love meeting "new family members" from all corners of the world and sharing the joy of Rotary with them.

No, it isn't "a snap" to join Rotary; it does take commitment to become a Rotarian and to make a difference, but all good things take work. Visit your local Rotary club and see for yourself if you are the special type of person Rotary is looking for! Find your local club's meeting time and place at our district web site at: www.rotary5160.org Rotary always welcomes serious applicants. Come help us be the change we want to see in the world! Am I pulling your leg? No, I'm pulling this gator's tail . . . for Rotary! Cheers, Bill Randall Rotary District 5160 PR

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