As
RI President Carl-Wilhelm Stenhammar has so eloquently
stated, Rotarians enthusiastically adopted the motto
"Service Above Self" in 1911 because it so aptly
articulated the ideals that the fledgling organization was
in the process of developing. For 95 years, this motto has
served as the underlying motif of our efforts to carry out
humanitarian service, promote high ethical standards, and
work for international understanding and peace. As with
anything that has become an innate part of our lives, it is
easy to take this motto for granted.
Through
the vision of Governor Bob Watson, each of the members in
our District will have the opportunity to renew our
commitment to this timeless message of compassion and
generosity of spirit by participating in the Rotarians At
Work Day on April 29, 2006. Each of the 60 Clubs within our
District have come forward and identified
one or more projects that they are committed to performing.
Indeed, several Clubs have chosen to perform two or more
projects because of the diversity of their members. Many of
our Clubs are partnering with other Clubs, and nearly all of
our Clubs are integrating other groups to assist such as
Rotaract Clubs and the families of the Club members’. Some
of our Clubs will be traveling to Mexico to extend the reach
of our District.
We
are going to be planting trees, performing much needed
maintenance to our communities’ highways, senior centers,
a variety of public buildings such as schools, parks and
even the facility which hosts RYLA each year. Several of our
Clubs will be partnering together to travel to Baja, Mexico
to perform maintenance at a medical mission, to build a new
school kitchen and computer lab, to concurrently undertake a
literacy project, to implement various public health
programs including building prostheses for the needy. Some
of our Clubs will be hosting those less fortunate than us
and will provide clothes, books and meals. All in one day!
The
vision of Governor Bob is infectious. Our Rotary brothers
and sisters south of the border in District 4100 will,
thanks to the leadership of District Governor Fernando
Favela and his District chair, Maurilio Melendez,
simultaneously perform their own Rotarios Trabajando on
April 29th. Too, our District’s Group Study Exchange teams
to East and West Africa will also be performing service
projects that day on the other side of the world.
Imagine
the result when all 60 Clubs within our District bring
together our members during April 29 to perform a variety of
hands-on community service. One cannot help but be awed by
all of our potential. We cannot begin to speculate how many
hundreds, maybe thousands, of people who will benefit, both
directly an indirectly, from our one day effects. The sense
of accomplishment and empowerment to those in need will be
astounding. While you will be selflessly serving others, you
will be concurrently raising your Club's standing and
prominence within your community. What a great way to
attract new members and retain those who may be searching
for something new.
Can
you think of a better legacy for your Club?
