By Roger Tausig
Rotary Club of Orange
I have just returned from the Rotary District 7980 Annual Conference and Assembly, a gathering where members from 57 local Rotary Clubs from throughout Connecticut meet to learn about the latest trends in the greater Rotary community and share ideas about how to address the numerous challenges faced by our respective organizations in today’s difficult climate.
I will be returning as the President of the Rotary Club of Orange starting on July 1, so I went to the event with hopes of learning what representatives from our district leadership and our parent organization, Rotary International, could share with us about the situation nationally and how clubs were dealing with the adverse conditions created by the pandemic we have all been living through these past few years.
I am pleased to say that I gained quite a bit of insight that will be very helpful in leading my club and more fully engaging our club’s members in reestablishing their commitment to the mission of Rotary, which is characterized by our motto of “Service Above Self.”
But in the process of attending the various general sessions, keynote addresses and workshops, I gained something that I was not expecting. That is a renewed enthusiasm and passion for the work we do as Rotarians locally, regionally and worldwide. There were several factors that led to my reawakening.
The first is that I was surrounded by about 150 colleagues who attended for the same purpose as I did. Every person there was committed to serving their community and helping those in need anywhere in the world and any way they can. It was great being immersed in such an energetic, good-hearted group of people who care deeply about those in need and have such a strong desire to make a difference in the world.
One person summed it up when asked what he tells people who ask him what Rotary is about by saying, “We are in the kindness business.” I can safely say that every person at this gathering was kind and generous, and willing to give of themselves.
The second factor was listening to the stories told by some of the presenters who discussed the projects that Rotary undertakes to serve others. One speaker moved me when he shared several stories about the beneficiaries of a Rotary program called Gift of Life. This organization started 40 years ago, and its purpose is to provide critical, lifesaving surgeries to underprivileged children worldwide. Especially moving was the fact that most of the people who created the organization and operate it – including the medical professionals who perform the procedures and care for patients – are volunteers. Learning the personal stories of a few of the 41,000 children who otherwise would have died without these surgeries and seeing how they have instead grown and thrived was profoundly impactful and filled me with pride that I am a part of an organization that does such important work.
We are seeking new members to help us carry on the work that we do because there is so much need everywhere. If you are someone who hears the call to provide service to others and want to be part of a group that does great work while having fun, please reach out to me to discuss what Rotary can do for you to add to the fulfillment of your life.