Greetings Rotary Passport Club Member!

 

This week’s message is a thought provoking one applicable to any season, but one that could have implications this holiday season.

 

HOLIDAYS 2015 – Be Greedy Rotarians! – It is an age-old adage that “it is better to give than to receive.”  But have you ever stopped to think about why this is true?  Of IF it is true?  For so many Rotarians, the act of giving of their time, money and talents is just part of their DNA – the way they are wired. For them, giving is second nature and not really thought about too much.  If Rotarians did actually think about the consequences involved in giving before actually committing to the act or acts, Rotary might not have ever become the 4-Star rated, premiere charitable organization of the world.  Going into third world countries to deliver polio drops to children, or water filters to remote villages, or medical equipment and supplies to third world hospitals is not for the weak or faint of heart.  The journey is filled with potential dangers that include disease, viruses, people with guns, violence, and war.  Yet, Rotarians persist.  I submit that the drive to give and help people less fortunate at home and abroad has everything to do with “it is better to give than to receive”, and yet by giving as Rotarians do, most will tell you that they personally received far more than they ever gave, in the form of an emotional experience that they, at first, may never have known they wanted.  In fact, upon discovering the euphoria that results from personally changing the lives of other people and personally seeing that emotional gratitude first hand, the giver becomes the receiver.  I submit that Rotarians who have discovered this euphoria are some of the greediest people around.  They reach out and give to others in need in order to personally experience that emotional high.  For Rotarians, this is a paradox: by giving, they are personally receiving more in return.  So, are we the angels to the world, or are we merely human beings who, in a world where materialistic things have lost their ability to truly make us as happy as we are when we reach out and help someone who truly needs it? I say, be greedy, Rotarians.  Your community and the world will be better for it.

 

SERVICE PROJECTS – See The Upcoming Events Calendar – Our Service Director, JoAnne Tanner, has tirelessly filled our December Upcoming Events Calendar with every event she can lay her hands on.  If you are feeling that need to reach out and help a local Rotary club with a service project this month, check it out! 

 

TURN IN Service Reports for November (or the Year to Date) – In January, I will be posting a progress report on our member’s quest to “Save Lives” through their community service hours and donations.  The only way I can accurately do that is to have members submit their hours to me at michaelreinero@yahoo.com.  If you haven’t yet found your groove in service, don’t fret.  There are tons of opportunities coming your way this holiday season.  Check our Upcoming Events calendar often and keep your eyes open.  Many people need help this season and we are just the group to give it to them.

 

That’s all for now. Enjoy the rest of your week!

 

Yours in Rotary,

 

President Mike