vantage point of helping our local communities while sharing our local values, we develop a “sense of purpose and meaning, accompanied by the personal payback of greater self-work and engagement with the wider community.” (“A Welcome Embrace”, Rotary Magazine – January 2023).
Connection with each other as Rotarians is very important. This feeling of belonging to a “Rotary Family” develops lifelong friendships and a true enjoyment of spending time together in rewarding service. In a recent finding on Club Service, “what has come across more than anything is the shared laughter and camaraderie, the feeling of being valued, listened to and that you matter.” (Ibid) As West Oklahoma City Rotarians say, “Don’t forget the 5th part of the 4-way Test” and then they yell out together “Is It Fun.” This makes me smile every time. I love the “Connection” we have to each other from Oklahoma City Clubs to Stillwater Clubs, to Ponca City, to Woodward, to Clinton, to Weatherford, and points in between. Thirty-four shining lights for Rotary.
Finally, I leave you with the words of our R.I. President Jennifer Jones again in the January 2023 issue of our Rotary Magazine, “The single most important factor in member satisfaction is the club experience. How at home you feel in your club, how rewarding club meetings are, and how engaged you feel in service projects.” Again, it’s the formula for a successful Rotary Family making a difference in the world. The Rotary word “Connection” is very important for the comfort and care of our members.
In Rotary Service,
District Governor 2022-2023