Thanksgiving is behind us with Christmas quickly approaching. ‘Tis the season for giving thanks, being thankful, and the season of giving. In my personal and professional life—with both—I try to accomplish throughout the year, not just during this time of year. I am reminded of one of my favorite articles from the past written by our Past President Michael Reinero. I feel it is as relative today as the day he wrote it.

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? Or 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.

Even though the official beginning of the Rotary Foundation was 1917, it was not embraced by all Rotary members. There were many skeptics about the need for a Foundation, and for the first eight years, it was basically the pet project of Arch Klumph. But Klumph was relentless, and finally, in 1927 at the RI Convention in Belgium, there was a unanimous vote to amend the constitution to provide for acceptance of contributions to the Endowment Fund (soon to be known as the Foundation).

A board of five trustees was appointed to oversee the Foundation, and Arch C. Klumph became the first chair of the board. The Trustees stood firm on one issue: The Rotary Foundation should be built up only by voluntary donations, not from a tax on the members.

There wasn’t a rush of members contributing to the Foundation. Our country was involved in the Great Depression and a World War during the 30’s and 40’s, and people did not have an abundance of discretionary funds. Because of this, the Trustees asked members to take out life insurance policies for $1000 naming the RI Foundation as beneficiary. This was the main source of funds in those years.

Arch Klumph knew if the Foundation was going to succeed, things would have to change...

Rotary Passport
1st Annual Holiday Party

Thursday, December 15 from 5pm - 8pm
The Monk's Cellar
240 Vernon St, Roseville, CA 95678

Join us to celebrate the holidays! Meet and mingle with old and new members ... take photos with Santa ... and in the spirit of Rotary, support our community!

Bring a $10 - $25 gift card (Target, Wal-Mart, etc.) to be donated to Lilliput Children's Services, a Northern California non-profit specializing in foster care and adoption services. As you all know, foster children have many needs, but at this time of the year, wouldn't it be a beautiful gift if we could help them buy something special for themselves?

Check out our Facebook Event for more details.

Flash Mob!

In late September, President Elect JoAnne Tanner and six Passport members formed a Flash Mob for the Roseville Sunrise Rotary Club meeting. This surprise so early in the morning created a lot of smiles and real excitement among the Rotarians. Like always, it's fun to attend other Rotary club meetings—but better yet, it's great to connect with Rotarians from outside of our club!

We have more Flash Mobs in store for other clubs around District 5180. If you'd like to help coordinate the next Flash Mob or just want to volunteer to attend, please contact President Elect JoAnne Tanner for more details.