[vc_row full_width=”” parallax=”” parallax_image=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]District Governor, Barbara Crozier kicked off her presentation by giving a “Generator Award” to our own Gina Cobb. The award is given to someone who energizes and brings new ideas to the club. In the eighteen months she’s been a member, Gina as has done this in spades. Congratulations!
Rotary was founded in 1905 by Paul Harris, an attorney from Vermont who was dismayed by the lack of ethics he saw in the Chicago business scene. He formed a men’s club that met weekly, moving from office to office and back again, thus earning the name “Rotary.” The club’s first service project was to install a restroom in the downtown area to serve the area’s shoppers and thus increase the amount of time they spent patronizing local businesses.
There are 34,000 Rotary clubs worldwide. Portland was the 11th city to form a club; Seattle was the 4th. Like all organizations, Rotary clubs sometimes need to refresh themselves by giving up old projects and taking on new ones. New members can be attracted in various ways, such as inviting the parents of exchange students, former Interactors (high school-age clubs), or Rotaractors (18 – 30-year old clubs) to join. Retaining members is a challenge, too. Surveys have shown that people join so that they can give back and meet new people. Members stay because they have made friends in the club and because of projects that are important to them.
Every incoming Rotary International President has the task of identifying a theme for the year. This year’s theme is “Be a Gift to the World.” President Ravindran has placed the organization’s emphasis on Vocational Service, one of the Five Avenues of Service that he thought needed more attention. Some changes were made in the branding of Rotary, including enlarging the word “Rotary” that is placed next the logo in all printed matter.
Rotary Club conferences and seminars serve to train, engage, and invigorate members. Upcoming opportunities:
February 13th, Membership Seminar (Portland)
April 23, District Training Assembly (West Linn)
May 20 – 22, District Conference (Vancouver)
This is Barb Crozier’s second stint as District Governor. She has been a member of Rotary since 1995 when she helped found the Camas-Washougal club. She’s also been a PETS trainer, a Host Mom to an exchange student, and has participated in a Polio Immunization Day. Not one to let grass grow under her feet, she also manages a large non-profit organization in Vancouver.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]