Why Rotary? by a Morristown Rotarian
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WHAT DID WE JOIN ROTARY TO DO?
by Harvey Gilbert, Morristown Rotary Club
How many times have you heard someone reporting that he or she joined Rotary because they wanted to find a way to "give back"? What does that mean? Give what back? And to whom? Is someone missing something? And why is this so important, anyway?
In case you are one of those who joined Rotary in hopes of finding paradise in the networking opportunities that don't remain a primary focus, I must enlighten you. The idea of "giving back" is the glue holding most clubs together. Despite the difficulty of finding a good meeting time or place, the diminishing numbers of members, the aging of the population and the difficulty in competing with the " hectic work and life schedules imposed upon younger potential members, some clubs continue to hang in there. The "giving back" idea is a wonderful oasis in a desert of taking.
Through high school and college, many are surrounded with the competition of sports, grades, and social events. Many are encouraged to do the "best they can do". They are sent into the marketplace to show how to be creative and more attractive to employers, customers and potential spouses. Treasuring the mass market, the advertising catch, the franchise success, the boast and puff, they push the limit of ethics in order to achieve, develop, produce and acquire. The focus is narrowed so that the achiever could more efficiently "get there", "make it big", "knock 'em dead", "take our share", and "win".
Along the way, our churches complain that the seats are not filled as they used to be. Individuals in other civic groups, as well as our Rotary members, have had years of stumbling. Is it any surprise that many people are in search of a way to find meaning and satisfaction in the work of the day?
We no longer often see the tree we cut used to build the roof that shelters us. We no longer often raise the com or cow that becomes what fills our stomach. Most of us are separated from the satisfaction of seeing and feeling the stuff that we do as it is turned into the benefit we hoped would result.
This is where Rotary lives. This is where Rotary soars. This is where your potential good members are found. Find someone who wants to feel the satisfaction of "giving back" and they will find in Rotary the enjoyment which will be immediate and contagious. We have what they need. We show first hand and immediately what it is to be a part of a loving and caring neighborhood of friends who expand the definition of "home" to include all of us. We help those who need help. We do this. Giving back is what we do.
In case you are one of those who joined Rotary in hopes of finding paradise in the networking opportunities that don't remain a primary focus, I must enlighten you. The idea of "giving back" is the glue holding most clubs together. Despite the difficulty of finding a good meeting time or place, the diminishing numbers of members, the aging of the population and the difficulty in competing with the " hectic work and life schedules imposed upon younger potential members, some clubs continue to hang in there. The "giving back" idea is a wonderful oasis in a desert of taking.
Through high school and college, many are surrounded with the competition of sports, grades, and social events. Many are encouraged to do the "best they can do". They are sent into the marketplace to show how to be creative and more attractive to employers, customers and potential spouses. Treasuring the mass market, the advertising catch, the franchise success, the boast and puff, they push the limit of ethics in order to achieve, develop, produce and acquire. The focus is narrowed so that the achiever could more efficiently "get there", "make it big", "knock 'em dead", "take our share", and "win".
Along the way, our churches complain that the seats are not filled as they used to be. Individuals in other civic groups, as well as our Rotary members, have had years of stumbling. Is it any surprise that many people are in search of a way to find meaning and satisfaction in the work of the day?
We no longer often see the tree we cut used to build the roof that shelters us. We no longer often raise the com or cow that becomes what fills our stomach. Most of us are separated from the satisfaction of seeing and feeling the stuff that we do as it is turned into the benefit we hoped would result.
This is where Rotary lives. This is where Rotary soars. This is where your potential good members are found. Find someone who wants to feel the satisfaction of "giving back" and they will find in Rotary the enjoyment which will be immediate and contagious. We have what they need. We show first hand and immediately what it is to be a part of a loving and caring neighborhood of friends who expand the definition of "home" to include all of us. We help those who need help. We do this. Giving back is what we do.
