Why I joined Rotary by Marty Boogaart


FELLOWSHIP!!!

During an interview in 1945, Paul Harris said, “…The heart and soul of the first Rotary Club in Chicago was fellowship and that has continued to be one of the basic principles of Rotary Clubs wherever they have been organized.…


In 2008 I was telling Jim Campbell that I was hoping to move beyond my cloistered lifestyle and get to know more people – I wanted fellowship. Jim said, “Come to Rotary next Thursday morning. They are a real fun group of people there.” He was right. Lethbridge Sunrise is a great group of people.


 
Paul Harris went on to say, “However, in the early years of the Rotary Club of Chicago, it was realized that Rotary could serve a wider purpose than its original aim of promoting understanding and fellowship among business and professional men. It soon became a factor for the promotion of many different types of community betterment activities for constructive work for crippled children and under-privileged children and for the promotion of highest standards of business and professional practices."

I recognize that “purpose” is an important element of maintaining a group and I have done my best to serve Lethbridge Sunrise and District 5360 by contributing according to my abilities. However, to me it feels like fellowship is not the prime factor at Lethbridge Sunrise. (That is to me of course, a person who finds it difficult to make small talk.) It seems that we only meet on Thursday mornings, and then between breakfast and the program, there is not much time to get to know you. Also some folks have long-time friends whom they feel most comfortable visiting with. So when the $230 membership fees came due last month, I asked myself, “Do I really want to spend all this money to sit ‘by myself’ for two or three hours each week, maintaining the club and district web-sites? I spoke with Berga, and decided to give it another go.


We thought that an emphasis on fellowship might be good for all of us. More “sweat equity” events where we could work side-by-side and get to know each other (are you coming to the YPM Sunrise event in September?). Maybe a few pot-luck dinners, like the Three Amigos this October. And what about a night out to a play at the Yates with a snack before or after (I could arrange that.)?


Anyways, I would like to get to know you. Please don’t let my slow-to-start conversation style put you off. I really am interested in your fellowship. See you soon.


Marty