Why I joined Rotary by Berga Moen
Posted by Marty Boogaart
.bmp)
My first introduction to Rotary was in 1995. The year before I had moved my children from Saskatoon to Dawson Creek so I could join a law firm there. The kids were unhappy with the move and David in particular had a hard time with the change. He was 15 and rebellious. I had my hands full. A teacher in the high school saw something in him and recommended him for RYLA. He went a teenager and came home a young man.
In 1996, I moved to Fort Nelson, BC to open a satellite office for the law firm that I worked for. Fort Nelson is a small community in Northeastern BC of approximately 3,000 people and I was the only lawyer in town. The morning I opened the office, I received a visit from the local bank manager who promptly invited me to lunch. That was my first Rotary meeting. Needless to say I kept going back.
My reasons for joining were quite mercenary. This was a group that included most of the business people in that small community, a business circle I needed to break into to make a go of it. But my reasons for staying were far different. I soon learned the four way test and recognized the values I held dear. I learned of the good works of Rotary both in that small community and world wide. And I found a whole new family of friends and a world of friends I had not yet met. Three years later I returned to Dawson Creek and joined the Rotary Club there.
When I came to Lethbridge in November 2002, I did not get involved in Rotary immediately. After a time of adjusting to a new firm and life far away from my children, I had the pleasure of meeting Diane Randell. Diane invited me back to Rotary. It only took one meeting to remind me of all I was missing – the friendships not yet made, the joy of working to improve our community and our world.
Rotary has become a big part of my life. I am both humbled and proud of being a part of this incredible organization. I look forward to a lifetime of “Service above Self” in Rotary.
My reasons for joining were quite mercenary. This was a group that included most of the business people in that small community, a business circle I needed to break into to make a go of it. But my reasons for staying were far different. I soon learned the four way test and recognized the values I held dear. I learned of the good works of Rotary both in that small community and world wide. And I found a whole new family of friends and a world of friends I had not yet met. Three years later I returned to Dawson Creek and joined the Rotary Club there.
When I came to Lethbridge in November 2002, I did not get involved in Rotary immediately. After a time of adjusting to a new firm and life far away from my children, I had the pleasure of meeting Diane Randell. Diane invited me back to Rotary. It only took one meeting to remind me of all I was missing – the friendships not yet made, the joy of working to improve our community and our world.
Rotary has become a big part of my life. I am both humbled and proud of being a part of this incredible organization. I look forward to a lifetime of “Service above Self” in Rotary.