Rotary's impact felt throughout region, world

Hello, my name is David and I am a Rotarian.

While some of you reading this may not know what Rotary is, I bet you or someone you know has been impacted by what Rotary International and your local Rotary club have done.

On  July 1, I was named District Governor of Rotary International District 5080. The district spans from the northern region of eastern British Columbia, south to central Idaho, east to Wallace and west to the Tri-Cities, Walla Walla or Colville.

In our district, there are 57 clubs and more than 2,000 Rotarians in this beautiful corner of the world. Around the globe, there are 46,000 Rotary clubs populated by 1.4 million Rotarians in 200 countries.

Now, back to the bet:

Did you know Rotary was instrumental in founding the United Nations and that RI is the only non-government organization with a permanent seat at the U.N.? One of our areas of focus is peacekeeping. 

Did you know Rotary gives millions of dollars in scholarships each year, second only to the United States government?

Since 1988, when Rotary took up a challenge, there has been a worldwide reduction in polio cases of 99.9%. Polio circled the globe for a long time, and as of now, there are only two countries with polio — Afghanistan and Pakistan. Along with partners, Rotarians have helped immunize more than 2.5 billion children against polio in 122 countries. Rotary is so close to eradicating polio and has raised more than $1 billion in this fight.

Maybe think about joining the winning team as we send polio packing?

That's a lot of heavy lifting and it would be easy to think that Rotary is a serious organization only doing serious work. Well, it is ... to a point.

Each of the 46,000 clubs has a unique personality and oftentimes is a mirror to the community where it is located. If you look around, you will find the unique Rotary symbol in Riverfront Park in Spokane to Farmin Park in Sandpoint. These construction projects are ongoing and I continue to be amazed by what this organization builds.

Through our local scholarships, international student and professional exchange programs, to our Rotary Youth Leadership Awards and finding ways to assist people who want to make a difference, Rotary also builds from the inside.

We also have fun.

I have never attended a Rotary meeting where fun didn't bubble up. It is obvious that a sense of community, belonging and giving more than you get also shows up at meetings or projects.

Unfortunately, we are in a time where people are often pitted against others and more and more of our friends and relatives are finding they can't plug into their community.

Loneliness and isolation are real. Studies have proven that a great cure for both is to find a sense of belonging and ways to give back.

We are going to have lots of time in the next year to discuss what Rotary does and can do in your community. I look forward to exploring this area and meeting giving and caring individuals.

One last tidbit for you to ponder. 

Rotary has what is called the Four-Way Test. It is a nonpartisan and nonsectarian ethical guide that many Rotarians use as their guiding North Star.

It was written in 1932 and has been translated into more than 100 languages. As an aside, I wish everyone would try to live up to the standards shared by Rotarians and guests at every Rotary meeting.

Is it the TRUTH?

Is it FAIR to all concerned?

Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?

Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

And there is an unofficial fifth plank of the Four-Way Test that I started using as a club president and I hope to share with our district:

Will it be FUN?

Want to know more about Rotary? Google your closest club or go to district5080.org or Rotary.org to learn more. On the district5080.org site, you will find Rotary Rick, a virtual personal guide who can answer most Rotary questions.

I will be writing a column in this newspaper during my year as district governor. My goal is to highlight the good Rotary and Rotarians do here and around the world as I visit the 57 clubs in this district. I will also shine a spotlight on unique communities and key Rotarians.

Next time: Rotarians descend on Calgary for an international conference just a short drive away.

If you have any questions or suggestions for this column, please find me on Facebook @facebook.com/david.keyes.7737 or email me at [email protected].

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David Keyes is the new District 5080 Governor for the Rotary Club.