More Members mean More Helping Hands
Posted by David Hurt
on Oct 27, 2014
A Helping Hand
Whether within local communities or around the world, Rotarians are an organization of community leaders and professionals who want to give back…who want to give a helping hand to others…who want to contribute to society by being part of worldwide philanthropic efforts that benefit humanity…and who expect nothing in return.
Think of all the elementary, middle, high school, and college young people who have been touched with Rotary scholarships…with sponsorship of school camps, RYLA, Interact and Rotoract Clubs…with local community projects…and on and on. Then reflect on the role that each of us as past, present, and future Rotarians, share in the process of immunizing about one-third of the world’s population against polio…preventing millions of people from the paralytic disease of the polio virus. How good does that make you feel?
It is reasonable to say that “lending a helping hand” is an action that responds to some degree of need or conflict. Peace is broadly defined in terms of resolution of individual physical or mental conflict, often found in war-time conditions. Doesn’t the gift of a wheelchair help remove the conflict resulting from lack of mobility, and subsequently represent an act of goodwill and peace? Can we not therefore conclude an individual act of peace was performed with every project Rotarians do…and from the thousands of projects from thousands of clubs just like ours?
Rotary has earned the reputation of responding to people of all nations in need, and to helping build a better and a more peaceful world. Worldwide programs encompass Six Rotary Areas of Focus, should make us all proud to be part of a massive worldwide humanitarian effort to improve human conditions.
History and the book of records may someday reveal how much these humanitarian acts of kindness contributed to a world of peace. Regardless, and even more important, we all know Rotarians will continue to lend a helping hand everywhere they can…it is part of our DNA.
Now the membership message…you knew it was coming didn’t you? Obviously we need more hands to sustain our clubs long-term, to increase fellowship and friendships, and to continue the good work being done. And isn’t increasing membership a goal in each of our clubs…and isn’t that a primary strategy of Rotary International…to grow in numbers and good deeds. As Rotarians, each of us has that responsibility and each of us need to do our part to make it happen! When we tell others how Rotarians lend a helping hand, how we enjoy weekly fellowship and hearing from local leaders and community programs, we will accomplish this objective.
As we each pursue our Rotary paths, a “well done and thank you” to each of you for every single thing you do as a Rotarian and as a humanitarian…for embracing the responsibility that each of us have to reach out to others to become part of our Rotary “family”…and for lending a helping hand to anyone in need.
It is reasonable to say that “lending a helping hand” is an action that responds to some degree of need or conflict. Peace is broadly defined in terms of resolution of individual physical or mental conflict, often found in war-time conditions. Doesn’t the gift of a wheelchair help remove the conflict resulting from lack of mobility, and subsequently represent an act of goodwill and peace? Can we not therefore conclude an individual act of peace was performed with every project Rotarians do…and from the thousands of projects from thousands of clubs just like ours?
Rotary has earned the reputation of responding to people of all nations in need, and to helping build a better and a more peaceful world. Worldwide programs encompass Six Rotary Areas of Focus, should make us all proud to be part of a massive worldwide humanitarian effort to improve human conditions.
History and the book of records may someday reveal how much these humanitarian acts of kindness contributed to a world of peace. Regardless, and even more important, we all know Rotarians will continue to lend a helping hand everywhere they can…it is part of our DNA.
Now the membership message…you knew it was coming didn’t you? Obviously we need more hands to sustain our clubs long-term, to increase fellowship and friendships, and to continue the good work being done. And isn’t increasing membership a goal in each of our clubs…and isn’t that a primary strategy of Rotary International…to grow in numbers and good deeds. As Rotarians, each of us has that responsibility and each of us need to do our part to make it happen! When we tell others how Rotarians lend a helping hand, how we enjoy weekly fellowship and hearing from local leaders and community programs, we will accomplish this objective.
As we each pursue our Rotary paths, a “well done and thank you” to each of you for every single thing you do as a Rotarian and as a humanitarian…for embracing the responsibility that each of us have to reach out to others to become part of our Rotary “family”…and for lending a helping hand to anyone in need.