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It wasn’t so much as an offer or a choice, but it was more like “Our Rotary Club meets on Wednesday Night at 6:15, I will see you there.” My client, and now fellow Rotarian, Brian Rusk, I think just invited me to a Rotary meeting. It was the right time. I knew about Rotary and all the great things they do, and I did want to be involved in volunteering in my community. And the time seemed right. My business was stable, and my twins were a bit older, and I had the extra time to give to Rotary. And before I knew it, I was being inducted into the Rotary Club of Amherst South.To be honest I did not know what to expect as far as my experience would go, but it became immediately clear that I would have many new friends and an interesting dinner every Wednesday night. And it did not take long to get involved in the projects and fundraisers of the club. And in true Rotary fashion, I quickly ascended the ranks, starting with the position of Secretary, writing the weekly “Wheel”, soon to be followed by President Elect, and ultimately President (again and again). I even started a new fundraiser for the club.My Rotary experience has expanded over years, attending District Conferences, getting involved as a trainer on the District level, and now having the honor of representing our District next year. Each step along the way has made my Rotary journey more fulfilling, and has created a desire to try to do more for my community and to make an even greater impact to those in need.
I am not sure if I joined Rotary out of a sense of obligation, or a need to fill a void in my life, but I do know why I continue to stay. It is for the people. It is the fellow Rotarians who become your closest friends. It is the children who we provided with school supplies and with coats for the winter. It is the people who attend a food pantry and rely upon our works for their next meal. Its the veteran who relies upon our contributions to be retrained to work. It’s the college students we mentor to be our future leaders. It’s the children in a far away land receiving a life changing polio vaccination.
So, I say thank you to Brian Rusk for asking me to a Rotary meeting. Maybe this month, you invite someone to a meeting, and just maybe, they will stay too!