By Rotary International

By Jean Stanula

When I was a kid, it seemed like “making a difference” was easy. I can recall asking for pledges for Jump Rope for Heart to raise money for the American Heart Association, and carrying a fish food jar converted into a donation canister around the neighborhood to collect nickels to help the American Cancer Society find a cure. I had a natural desire to give to others.

I’ve been able to nurture that desire through my work at Rotary, where I’ve continued to find motivation to give back to others. In 2013, I ran the Chicago Marathon to raise money for the American Red Cross and mobilized friends from around the world to support me.

Now, I’m ready to contribute to the fight to end polio. We are closer to finishing this fight than ever, much closer than we were the day I began working at Rotary more than 10 years ago. And that is exciting. I work very closely with volunteer leaders and often hear inspiring stories about their work with our organization. I will be proud to ride alongside Rotary members, colleagues, and other like-minded people dedicated to this worthy cause.

We are at a pivotal moment in history, …read more

Source:: Rotary International Blog

By Rotary International

A team of walkers carry a ladder rigged up with water jugs to simulate the burden that women and children in some parts of the world must bear to fetch water.

By Hai-Ryung Sung

Access to clean drinking water and proper sanitation should be a right for all people. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Many people still suffer and die from waterborne diseases they contract because of an inadequate supply of water, lack of sanitation, or poor hygiene. In many developing countries, women and children are forced to carry heavy bottles of water for many miles.

As a Rotary Scholar, I had the pleasure of taking part in the GlobalRun4Water recently in North Carolina, USA, raising awareness and money for water- and sanitation-related projects. My scholarship was funded by a global grant sponsored by Districts 3640 (Korea) and 7710 (North Carolina), my host district, which also organized the run. Scott Rossi, a member of the Cary-Kildaire Rotary Club, came up with the idea for the event, and has earned the affectionate nickname, the “Water Guy of District 7710.”

Each year, the event has grown. During the first three years, Rotary members raised more than $40,000 through sponsorships and community support. Funds have …read more

Source:: Rotary International Blog

By Rotary International

Ally Vincent, center, with her Scottish hosts.

By Ally Vincent

Although I am just 23, I already have nine years’ experience with Rotary. I joined the Interact Club at Crystal River High School in Florida when I was 14. When I began pursuing an undergraduate degree at Saint Leo University, I felt a bit lost, and I missed the connection I had to Rotary. So I became involved in chartering a Rotaract Club on campus, eventually becoming club president in 2013-14. I saw Rotary’s good work both on a local and international scale through projects we worked on with the Rotary Club of Belize Sunrise, in Belize, and the Rotaract Club of Islamabad Green City, in Punjab, Pakistan.

Less than a month after I graduated from Saint Leo University, I received an email saying that I had been awarded a global grant funded Rotary scholarship to pursue my master’s degree at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, in inclusive and special education. I had worked closely with the Rotary Club of San Antonio, in Florida, during my year as president of my Rotaract Club, and — as the members were experienced with the paperwork — the club became my main sponsor, with nine other …read more

Source:: Rotary International Blog

By Rotary International

Scott Daniels on a training ride.

By Scott Daniels

What I remember most is the fear. I was too small to recall all the details, but when I was a child, polio struck the eastern Iowa community where I grew up.

When it hit, people took action. Parents kept their kids at home. The swimming pool shut down. You couldn’t play with the neighbor kids. One of our family friend’s kids contracted the disease. I can vividly remember parents and teachers being concerned about transmission of the virus.

There was no debate in my family over whether or not to vaccinate. You either did or you ran the risk of contracting the disease. We are blessed in the United States to be reaping the benefits of the hard effort Rotary and other organizations have undertaken to eradicate polio here. But no family, be it in Pakistan, Afghanistan, or any country in the world, should face the fear and devastation polio brings. That is what motivates me to support worldwide efforts to eradicate polio. We need to eradicate this disease, once and for all.

My entry to the world of bicycling started when I had to find a way to stay fit without running. The Miles …read more

Source:: Rotary International Blog

By Rotary International

The unique design of the Wosk Centre encourages dialogue and interaction.

By Chris Offer

I have had the opportunity to help design an imaginative Rotary event. The Rotary Day of Dialogue in Vancouver, British Columbia, on 21 November, will give voice to Rotary members’ ideas on how to transform Rotary.

John Anderson, governor of District 5040 (British Columbia) conceived the idea as an opportunity for Rotarians to exchange thoughts on what they want Rotary to look like now and in the future. It is a day to share ideas on how to mend broken Rotary clubs, grow membership, expand service, and invite young leaders into Rotary.

The day is built around a group of 10 initiators — not discussion leaders or presenters or lecturers. Each initiator will speak for only five minutes, to engage and challenge the audience on topics such as: characteristics of an effective Rotary club, Rotary’s new voice, ways to attract young professionals, and attributes of a good Rotarian. Each theme will be followed by 30 minutes of dialogue under the guidance of a moderator.

Vancouver has a unique venue for the Rotary Day of Dialogue. Simon Fraser University’s Wosk Centre is an inspiring space, designed for dialogue and interaction. Five concentric …read more

Source:: Rotary International Blog