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Frank Deaver Rotary Editorials
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Perfect Attendance: A Worthy Goal By Frank Deaver Rotary Club of Tuscaloosa, Alabama USA A Rotarian recently moved from one city to another, quite some distance away. For more than 35 years, he had maintained perfect attendance, and now could he continue that record? Not a problem. With his membership still "paid up" in the city he just left, he identified a Rotary Club in the new city and attended for a "make-up." After only his first visit, local Rotarians recognized him as a dedicated fellow-member, new to their city. And with one or two more "make-up" meetings as a "visiting Rotarian," he was duly inducted as a "new Rotarian." Not new to Rotary, just new to that club, and with an ongoing perfect-attendance record. But some may ask, "What's the big deal about perfect attendance? If I have a conflict on a meeting day, what's wrong with missing now and then?" Okay, perfect attendance may not be for everybody, but it's far more attainable in recent years than it used to be. And the benefits of attendance, perfect or as near perfect as possible, are many. Rotary's reason for existence is often summarized in two words – fellowship and service. Neither of these can be fully realized in absentia. Paul Harris sought fellowship and friendship when he first met with friends in what would become a worldwide fellowship. Service emerged within a short time as a perceived opportunity and obligation. At Rotary meetings we engage in conversation with fellow members, we sit together and share information and ideas, we eat and drink around a table while deepening the bonds of friendship. The weekly gathering allows us to become acquainted with a broad array of local citizens, breaking us free from the limited contacts we otherwise have at work or in our residential neighborhood. Reflecting on our circle of truly good friends, we are certain to find other Rotarians among those who have become important in our life. This is the reward of Rotary fellowship. Rotary defines four Avenues of Service: Club, Community, Vocational, and International. Although a Rotarian may individually engage in some areas of social service outside the club, it is through our joint efforts that service opportunities are fully realized. Through Rotary, we become better acquainted with others of the same vocation, and jointly we can share in even greater degrees of professional service. Clearly, attendance at Rotary meetings facilitates the twin purposes of fellowship and service. But even when we must miss a meeting of our own club, there are multiple other venues offering expanded opportunities for fellowship and service. We may attend another club in our area, or during travel. Not only do we experience fellowship and new friendships, but we will likely return to our home club with some ideas, some inspiration for expanded service. Perfect attendance? It's not impossible, not even terribly difficult. With neighboring club meetings, committees and fellowships, and the ever present eClub access, it's just a matter of Rotarian commitment! |
| RGHF Committee Editorial Writer Frank Deaver, 23 August 2007 |