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Bridging Continents By Frank Deaver Rotary Club of Tuscaloosa, Alabama USA Half of the 2010-2011 Rotary theme is "Bridging Continents." It's a symbolic challenge to all Rotarians on all continents, but it's a physical reality in Turkey's District 2420. Two bridges, each more than 1500 meters in length, span the Bosphorus Strait, that strategic waterway separating Istanbul in Europe from Istanbul in Asia. With more than 60 Rotary Clubs in Greater Istanbul, nearly 2000 Rotarians have the option to cross into another continent for a convenient attendance make-up. They can literally experience RI President Ray Klinginsmith's motto of "Bridging Continents." In his club visits, District Governor Ahmet Kara, whose home club is in Istanbul-Asia, is not only a regular international traveler, but an intercontinental traveler as well. Two other governors in the Rotary world have similar experiences, but without literal bridges connecting continents. DG Assem Abdel Razek belongs to an Egyptian club, but his district includes 139 clubs in nine countries on three continents. And DG Jane Little belongs to an Alaska club, but her district includes 75 clubs in three countries on two continents. These three governors are uniquely challenged with bridging multiple races, languages, religions, and politics. But similarly, RIP Klinginsmith, from Missouri USA, had an early introduction to the bridging of diverse cultures. As a 1961 Rotary Scholar in South Africa, he said his intercontinental experience alerted him to the world-wide bridging opportunities of Rotary. Little wonder, then, that his annual theme embraces the bridging concept. The two Istanbul bridges represent engineering achievement, but their function can be inspiration for Rotary's multiple bridging opportunities. The function of a bridge is far more than to serve as a roadway for feet, vehicles, and trains. Rotary has for decades been building bridges of understanding, but there are far more intercontinental bridges to be crossed. • Bridges connect. The Istanbul bridges connect two continents in bilateral togetherness, but in nearly 200 countries Rotarians are connected by bridges of social intercourse, international understanding, and goodwill, facilitating their cooperation in humanitarian service. • Bridges unite. A simple footbridge across a canyon can unite isolated villages, offering access to schools, hospitals, and markets. Rotarians build bridges of tolerance and mutual respect, uniting Rotarians from countries whose governments may lack similar respect and tolerance. • Bridges provide. Products are more readily available and economic opportunities are enhanced because of the Bosphorus Strait bridges, but the Rotary Foundation provides travel and educational opportunities for scholars, Group Study Exchange teams, and others. • Bridges project. Concrete and steel span only a measurable distance, but Rotary functions project unlimited friendship of peoples from around the world. Barriers are overcome through the bridge of communication, enhanced in recent decades by electronic technology. • Bridges perpetuate. While the Istanbul bridges can be expected to facilitate travel for many years, Rotary, now in its second century, bridges generations with an ongoing vision for international understanding and peace. Perhaps Will Allen Dromgool said it best in his poem "The Bridge Builder." He told of an old man who, with little effort, crossed a treacherous chasm, then turned and built a bridge. When asked why he did that, after his own safe crossing, the old man said, "There follows after me today A youth whose steps must pass this way. This chasm that meant naught to me, To the fair-haired youth might a pitfall be. He too must pass in the twilight dim; Good friend, I'm building this bridge for him." President Klinginsmith said, "Rotary is the best in the world at linking people of goodwill around the globe and then gaining their cooperation and support to make the world a much better place to live and work. … We are fortunate to be Rotarians! Together, we can make the world a better place!" |
| RGHF Committee Editorial Writer Frank Deaver, 2010 |