High Gear

Programs Report

August 22, 2014

By: Teri Muse

DISTRICT GOVERNOR SKAGGS ISSUES A CHALLENGE

District Governor Larry Skaggs and his wife Vickie gave a very inspiring talk to the members of the Arcadia Rotary issuing us all a challenge: “Have you done anything today to make a difference or change the world?”

District Governor Skaggs asked us, “Why did you join Rotary?” He told us that people don’t join Rotary because they are asked or told to join, they join because of who they are. He shared his father’s philosophy that “It is important in life to do something for somebody that can never repay you.” He said his Dad was never a Rotarian but was one in spirit. Most of what Rotarians do is to help people in Third World countries for people that will never know us.

He then went on to ask, “Why do you remain in Rotary?” He talked about how when you ask that question, most Rotarians will answer : #1 Service, #2 Fellowship. But he feels that fellowship is the most important reason because it changes the lives of Rotarians every day. He quoted Ralph Waldo Emerson who said, “No man can sincerely help another without helping himself.” The best way to experience the fellowship of Rotary is to get personally involved with a project. Maybe you want to help the mission to eradicate polio worldwide. Or, maybe you want to help children learn how to read. You could want to help someone here in Arcadia. As our District Governor said, “Rotarians help Rotarians.”

A more perplexing question was asked, “If we’re doing all these wonderful things shouldn’t we continue to grow?” Membership is declining in North America and is not growing worldwide. District Governor Skaggs feels people leave Rotary because they lose interest or were not involved. He challenged us all to go out and tell our story. Invite people to our lunch meeting. Let people know what it means to be a Rotarian and why you remain a Rotarian.

In closing, we were all challenged again with the question, “Have you done anything today to make a difference or change the world?”