Weekly Elixir - January 21, 2008

Weekly Elixir – Rotary Club of Parry Sound
…for the week of January 21, 2008

During the third plenary session at the International Assembly on Wednesday, January 16, Past RI President Cliff Dochterman emphasized the need for incoming district governors to make membership growth a focal point in the upcoming year.

“Membership in your district will not grow or blossom unless some very necessary steps are taken,” he said. “Rotary’s very survival depends upon it.”

Dochterman outlined three areas in which clubs can expand membership:

• Seek new members for clubs
• Retain current members
• Sponsor new clubs in the community

Who is Cliff Dochterman? Here’s a short bio –

--Cliff Dochterman, RI President 1992-93

--Member Rotary Club of Moraga, California

--Presidential theme: Real Happiness is Helping!

--Author of the “ABCs of Rotary.”

--Recognized by Rotary Global History Fellowship with the 1905 Liberty V. Nickel

--Author of What is a “PHF”

Why I am a Rotarian
By Cliff Dochterman – May 23, 2006

In a single word, Rotary means “opportunities.” Through Rotary membership, you can discover dozens of opportunities to enhance your life and enrich the lives of family and friends. There may be opportunities to establish close friendships with individuals around the world whom you would never have met, except through the magic of Rotary. There are opportunities to share with many others a common beliefe and philosophy of service, without any thought of personal return.

There are opportunities to work side by side with other community leaders whom we highly respect. There are opportunities to stretch your horizons by listening to interesting programs and enjoying the good times at the weekly meetings. There are opportunities to represent your profession and demonstrate how high ethical standards are a vital part of your day-to-day occupation.

There are opportunities to travel into virtually every land and find an open door and a cordial welcome to a totally new world of Rotary fellowship. There are opportunities to make your small part in the world really count through the achievements of the great and noble activities of Rotary’s programs of service. There are opportunities to touch the lives of thousands of people whom you will never know, except through the rewarding glow of satisfaction which comes from knowing that somewhere, someone needed your help, and you took the time to do something. There are opportunities to join in the search for world peace and goodwill through the dynamic work of The Rotary Foundation.

And finally, all of these opportunities add up to one conclusion: Rotary helps you become a better person and makes the quality of your own life just a little richer and more meaningful. What a wonderful experience it is to have all of these opportunities knocking at your door – just because you are a Rotarian.

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Source: www.rotaryhistoryfellowship.org