January is Rotary Awareness Month
you a question. "Why are you a Rotarian?"
As I think about that question myself, I would answer it with one simple answer.
"
I am a Rotarian because Rotary has changed my life and the lives of peoplethroughout the world!
"We are part of the world's first and one of the largest non-profit service
organizations, founded on February 23, 1905 in Chicago, Illinois.
We are part of a distinguished group comprised of 1.2 million professional andbusiness leaders in over 32,000 Rotary Clubs in 200 countries and geographic
areas. Our Rotary motto "
Service Above Self " inspires each of us to providehumanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards and promote good will and
peace in the world. We fund club projects and sponsor volunteers with community
expertise to provide medical supplies, health care, clean water, food production,
job training and education to millions in need, particularly in developing countries.
In 1985, we become part of an ambitious program we call Polio Plus to spearhead
efforts with the World Heath Organization, US Center for Disease Control and
Prevention, and UNICEF to immunize the children of the world against polio.
Because of our efforts, polio cases have dropped by 99 percent since 1988 and the
world stands on the threshold of eradication the disease.
We've provided more than 47,000 students from 110 countries the opportunity to
study abroad as Rotary Ambassadorial Scholars as part of the world's largest
privately-funded source of international scholarships. We continue to promote
international understanding through these scholarships, exchange programs and
humanitarian grants.
Our Group Study Exchange program has helped more than 57,000 young
professionals explore their career fields in other countries; and over 7,000
secondary-school students each year experience life in another country through
Rotary's Youth Exchange Program.
Rotary gives us extraordinary opportunities to change the lives of so many and at
the same time, change our life as well. This is why I am a Rotarian.
by PDG D. Michael Hart