Our new Rotary International President, Stephanie Urchick, has commenced her term only a few days ago. Her presidential theme is ‘The Magic of Rotary’. Her lead article in this month’s ‘Rotary Down Under’ magazine is well worth your time to read [yes, Henrietta, you DO have it, it’s emailed to all registered members.]Allow me to quote: “… I would go so far as to say that belonging is The Magic of Rotary itself”. Some of you might have come across Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. After basic needs (food, shelter etc) and security (both largely taken as a given in our society), the Need to Belong is the next most important. I can attest to that: having run a small business, other than members of your family (very important) and your customers, you don’t meet many others. Membership in a Rotary Club fills that hugely important need. But it goes way beyond that: When you are a Rotarian, you to belong not to just any ol’ club. You belong to a world wide, exceptionally stable organisation that “does a lot of good”. Really corny term, isn’t it? Yet, that describes Rotarians and Rotary clubs, including Surfers Sunrise, perfectly: We send out wheelchairs to give disadvantaged children in developing regions the gift of mobility. We've sent out entire buildings to fill a desperate need of communities after a tsumami had hit it, or simply because they are located too far away from the centre of power. We promote leadership in supporting various youth camps, as well as the annual Lutzy Award. And once a week (or twice a week if you do volunteer work at the shed), we… belong to a group of people whose company you enjoy and whom you can have a reasonably intelligent conversation with. [OK you lot, I heard you. Stop it right there! 😊]
To quote Stephanie Urchick again: ‘The truth is, we’re not going to bring peace to the world, end polio, or grow membership by waving a wand and saying some funny words.” At the next meeting, our new Club President, Andy Bell, will outline his vision and action plan. Be part of it.