Frank Deaver Rotary Editorials

     A Rotarian saw a hungry child, and cried out, “Why doesn’t someone do something about this?” And a voice from above said -- “I did; I created you.”

     Without going so far as to claim a divine mandate, we can certainly recognize that Rotary has a unique opportunity to be of service to mankind.  Through our Rotary Foundation, we have collectively undertaken a multitude of humanitarian and educational functions.

     Somewhere in the world, our gifts to the Rotary Foundation have accomplished these things:
          • a crippled child in India is fitted with a prosthetic device
          • a young Japanese scholar has opportunity for further study
          • a remote African village is provided a safe water supply
          • a clinic in Brazil is equipped to provide medical service
          • a Group Study Exchange team gains understanding of another culture

     And in a broader sense:
          • the threat of polio is coming to an end, world-wide
          • the next generation is being challenged to work for peace

     Can there be greater pride?  But at the same time can there be greater humility?  Through our Foundation, Rotarians have accomplished much, but there is much more to be accomplished.

     From our Rotary meetings and literature, we have learned about the history, the programs, and the financial plan, of our Rotary Foundation.  But in addition to that factual information, there is one additional ingredient that must be added.  That ingredient is passion.  Passion for human needs, and passion for our potential to meet at least some of those needs.

     Some among us have experienced the overwhelming emotion of squeezing those precious drops of vaccine on the tongue of a polio-threatened child.  Some among us have participated in the learning experience of Group Study Exchange or an Ambassadorial Scholarship.  Not all Rotarians can be directly involved in these foundation programs, but all Rotarians can help to make these things happen.

     At the RI Convention in Chicago, PRIP Glenn Estess called on all Rotarians to pledge to the RI Foundation USD $100 per year.  That is less than $2 per week.  Can we claim to have passion for the work of our foundation if we fail to do our part in this small way?

     If we do have passion for human needs, and passion for our potential to meet at least some of those needs, how can we NOT care?  How can we NOT share? For the world condition to improve, it must depend heavily on non-governmental organizations such as Rotary.  We cannot and must not depend on “someone else.”

     A Rotarian saw a hungry child, and cried out,  “Why doesn’t someone do something about this?” And then I realized -- “I am someone.”