I joined Rotary by bluntly asking a neighbour to take me to a meeting. We had moved from Calgary back to Oakville, Ontario,
where we had previously lived for eight years and needed to get
established again. Rotary appealed to me because of its basic rules: 1)
you give back to your community, and 2) you do not get paid - nor does
anyone else (I find it particularly offensive that some so-called
charities deduct "operating costs" from the donations they receive).
I have stayed in Rotary because of what it has given to me personally and to my family. Firstly, Rotary has allowed me to meet very interesting people in our home town and around the world.
Secondly, Rotary sent our younger daughter off to Japan
at aged 16 as an exchange student. It was a wonderful experience for
her which encouraged her to travel in her subsequent years. These
travels enabled her to land a very good teaching job so she is
basically secure for the rest of her life. Since she is somewhat
disabled this aspect is particularly important.
Thirdly,
and possibly somewhat selfishly, Di and I have had the pleasure of
meeting many people in many countries in our travels since we both
retired. We have attended Rotary meetings in such cities as St. Petersburg, Russia; Toyama, Japan; Mendoza, Argentina, Pagosa, Colorado and Mazatlan, Mexico. In Mazatlan
we are invited to Rotarian's homes and out to functions with them. In
all cases we were greeted warmly and sometimes downright spoilt by
generosity.
Fourthly,
we have had the pleasure of hosting many incoming exchange students.
The youngsters have come from such diverse countries as Japan, Germany, Brazil, France, Turkey, Finland and now Holland. All are different, all are intelligent and we get to "travel" within the comforts of our own home - what a delight!
On the subject of delight; our German student stayed a year in Oakville. She
was a bright, intelligent, attractive girl. Seven years later,
transformed into a smart university educated business woman, she
visited Detroit as part of the Mercedes Benz's takeover team trying to lick Chrysler into shape. Rather than spend another weekend in Detroit she took the train and came back to Oakville
to visit her old host families. Boy, had she blossomed! It was a
delight to see her so confident and able. I firmly believe that the
Rotary youth exchange played a large role in that transformation.
Through Rotary we got to host a young Argentinean doctor who wished to study breast reconstruction in both Toronto and Boston. This was during Argentina's
vicious monetary problems so he needed free accommodation. This
delightful highly intelligent young man stayed six weeks with us. As a
direct result Di and I have twice visited Argentina and toured extensively using itineraries suggested by him. He also encouraged us to visit Chile and Uruguay which we both greatly enjoyed and highly recommend. His parents toured us around Buenos Aires so we got to see how the locals really lived - even as a doctor his parents did not have it easy.
So Rotary has given us a lot and we are grateful.
__________________________
"Why I Joined Rotary"
is a monthly column that
helps us to learn why our fellow members decided to join Rotary and what it is that keeps them coming back.
If you would like to share your story drop me a line at
campbell.reed@shaw.ca
or
403-328-2209.
Judi Reed
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