WHY I AM A ROTARIAN:
BY PAST RI PRESIDENT WILLIAM H. “BILL” HUNTLEY*
William H. Huntley
JUNE 10, 2007
WWW.WHYIAM.ORG
* Please Note.
This “Why I Am a Rotarian …” message was received prior to Bill
Huntley’s death in February 2006.
You may not know that Bill Huntley’s devotion to RIBI and his
obvious personal commitment to Rotary at the international level
led him to participate in mediation discussions in Nashville,
Tenn., USA, between Rotarians from Argentina and Great Britain
shortly after the armed conflict in the Falkland Islands.
As a result of that arbitration, 15 Group Study Exchanges were
approved for the following year, giving Rotarians and others in
the two countries (Argentina and Great Britain) opportunities
for interaction, one on one, to expand the awareness between
peoples of both areas who wanted peace and better understanding.
That Falkland War arbitration truly epitomized Bill’s belief in
Rotary and world peace.
His many friends worldwide are NOW RAISING AND CONTRIBUTING
funds for a Rotary World Peace Fellowship to be endowed in the
Huntley’s name.
Bill Huntley wrote:
 “My
first acquaintance with Rotary was in Hertford, England, where I
saw the good influence a group of dedicated men was having on
the local community. At that time I was second in command of a
school for teen-aged delinquent boys. The boys helped in many of
the Rotary club's community programs. This benefited the boys
and the programs.
It was heartwarming to see men who were leaders in the community
working together for the good of the less fortunate.
Later the Vocational Service Committee of a neighboring club
asked me to find a boy who would benefit from a two-week
adventure expedition.
The chosen boy addressed the club on his experiences. One member
was so impressed with the young man that he offered him a job.
The end of the story came some years after when the boy was made
a partner in the company. Here, I realized, it was "Service
Above Self" being put into practice by the Rotarians for the
good of all.
When the opportunity came for me to join Rotary, I was delighted
to find that my club was every bit as active in service as the
ones I had observed. Each member of that small club played his
part in helping with all of the varied programs.
I have never been disillusioned by Rotarians, for they are
always ready to help and to give service in the most wonderful
ways. As a Trustee of the Rotary Foundation, I asked each
district in Great Britain to give $500.00 to obtain a special
grant to assist a Rotary Village Corps in Sri Lanka. One
district on its own immediately gave the full amount.
A letter from Sri Lanka illustrates the effect of that action.
The last sentence said, "God bless you. You don't know what you
have done."
That is why I am a Rotarian; that is what keeps me a Rotarian.
To associate with a group of men and women who are instantly
ready to help is a blessing and a privilege. As a Rotarian I am
part of a movement, which still has to realize its true
potential. Our strength is in our desire to serve.
Who knows what we can achieve? We don't know what we can do!”
Sincerely, Bill
William H. Huntley
President, Rotary International, 1994-95.
Member of the Rotary Club of Alford & Mablethorpe, England.
Theme: "Be a Friend." |
