Wow! It has been a long time since I have been able to sit down and write a new Bell Ringer. One of the biggest things I wanted to impart during my year as President was to give as much information and transparency as possible to the club to try and keep us connected, while the world felt increasingly disconnected. I am happy to see your faces each week when we have a meeting, and with the increase in vaccinations and the relaxing of indoor dining restrictions, I am confident that we will be able to meet safely in person soon. Just an update on that, I have reached out again to our HQ at Suburban since some state rules have opened up, and I am waiting to hear back. So stay tuned. No matter what though, the future of our club will be a hybrid of in-person and digital. Each member deserves access to our meetings and information and we will work hard to provide it.
Presently, Rotary International is preparing already for the transition into a new Rotary year. The new theme for next year is up above "SERVE TO CHANGE LIVES." I just finished the President Elect conference this weekend and there's such amazing and inspirational information about Rotary's mission that I hope to share with you for the rest of this Rotary year and into the next.
I (virtually) connected with clubs all over the Great Lakes region (including Canada), and I think there is definite opportunity for you all to experience other clubs in our District and beyond. I highly encourage you to seek out other club meetings because you will see what truly brings us all together as Rotarians above all else - and that is the heart and passion to SERVE.
RI's President Elect, Shekhar Mehta said at the conference, "Service is the rent you pay for the space you occupy on this earth." Isn't that the truth?
WHERE IS ROTARY HEADED?
Right now, Rotary is still working to finalize the eradication of Polio globally. There are only 2 or 3 confirmed cases in Afghanistan and Pakistan in very remote areas. Members in Rotary are in talks to gain access to vaccinate in those areas.
Did you know there is still 1 person in the United States that has been living with an Iron Lung to this day? He is in his 70s now. Take some time to read his story, Mr. Alexander is truly inspiring:
https://alcalde.texasexes.org/2020/09/one-of-the-last-people-to-live-in-an-iron-lung-is-a-longhorn/
With the ever growing hesitation surrounding vaccines, Rotary is working on plans to help educate and promote science with compassion and respect. Compassion and respect above all else is something our world definitely needs more of.
Rotary International is beginning to invest more in peace building (one of the 7 areas of focus), and that includes education and information on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. All clubs are asked to assess and think about how they started, who they are now, and where they are headed. Are there obstacles in processes, mindset, information that could hinder inclusivity and equity? The "we've always done it this way" mindset is going away. That actually is the BIGGEST issue universally in all clubs. I urge you to keep opening up, keep having conversations, keep building relationships - that is the way forward. When going through challenging times, just remember that we are all united in our passion for service - use that as the start.
The ultimate goal is to have a club that reflects its community and brings EVERYONE to the table through the lens of service. Grow Rotary, grow resources, grow service, grow empathy, grow friendship, grow humanity - think of all the TREMENDOUS good that we will accomplish - EVEN MORE than we already do! Stay tuned for more details on the Each One, Bring One campaign beginning next year. Part of vision building and planning for the future is to double-down on a strategic plan. Your board and I just started discussing it, but trust that you will all be a part as we build it out.
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MY ROTARY
