99 Years! On September 17 of this year our club will turn 99. In fact, on Sept. 18 we will hold the 5,000th meeting or the Rotary Club of Bellingham. Back in 1917, we were given club number of 331. Today there are 34,000 clubs. During all that time and growth, our club has contributed greatly to the quality of our local community and the world. It is good to remind ourselves of our accomplishments now and then, but let’s face it, 99 years just doesn’t have the zing, the excitement of the 100th year anniversary. It’s that 100th year that everyone looks forward to. That is when the real celebration happens.
So, if the Centennial is the year of celebration, what is the 99th year? I propose that just like any worthwhile celebration we need a time of preparation. It’s not unlike having a party or other celebration at your home. Your home, yard and garden are all in good shape, but you want to make it perfect. There are projects you just need to do to make everything ready for the upcoming event.
You need preparation before celebration!
That is what we want then. We want this year to be; our year of preparation. We are a good club. We do many things well and we have had success in many of our projects, but just as your perfectly manicured lawn and garden need some work before hosting a party, there are, I believe, things we can do to make our club even better. There are two areas that I’d like to concentrate on that will make our club stronger as we enter our 100th year.
The first one is: Let’s create a culture that includes an Expectation of Involvement. Our goal is always to have everyone involved. This applies to our major project or an activity like WW. That is good, but it isn’t that same as expecting that all will be involved. Let’s work to make it part of our culture that all major endeavors of this club will be supported by each and every member if for no other reason than that we are members of this club. There will be plenty of opportunities:
A. Wacky Wickets
B. Our Major Project
C. Support of District and Rotary International Foundation/Polio Plus
D. Stop Hunger Now
E. In addition to other service projects including Environmental committee work, bell ringing etc.
The first challenge I have for all of us is to take part in at least one activity that we have not been involved with before. You may attend a social event, help with a hands on service project or attend some District events. It’s your choice, but let’s make it an expectation that everyone will be involved and participate in club activities.
The second: Membership growth: I realize this has been an issue for not only our club, but all Rotary clubs for many years. Why grow membership? I think our answer to this question in the past has had the wrong emphasis. That answer has been; we need to keep our membership high so that we can continue to support our projects.
Let me offer this as reason instead: Look at what you are a part of just by the fact that you are a member of this club. I remember my first meeting. The first thing to impress me was the people. Here in this room were and still are real true leaders in the community. Then I started to hear and learn about all the things that this club has supported in the community. This included the development of Boulevard Park along with many other projects. I wanted to be part of that. Then, there were the speakers. Knowing that every week, I’d be exposed to new topics or learn something new and interesting, impressed and interested me. All this is what we receive and why we enjoy being members of the Rotary Club of Bellingham. And that is why we should invite people. Invite them to share in all that this club and Rotary International has to offer them. It’s about them NOT about us.
Everyone here has two things we all have in common. 1) We were invited to attend 2) We know 5,6 or 10 people who would make good Rotarians.
So my second challenge to everyone in this club is to invite 5-10 people throughout the year to join you for lunch at this club. I have doubled our budget for that this year. The lunch at the first visit is free to the guest. If you are uncomfortable asking, then let our Membership Committee know the name and let them call and make the invitation.
So, If we get people here as guests and show them what a great club we have and what a great organization Rotary is a percentage will join and our membership will grow and THEN we will be able to do more for others.
I feel honored to be your president this year. I read the names of past presidents and feel humbled to be included in that group of community leaders. This club has accomplished some outstanding projects and I am convinced that by having everyone involved with activities and membership recruitment, we will build an even stronger and better club as we celebrate our 100th anniversary next year.
Thank you all for being a part of the Rotary Club of Bellingham. Let’s all work together to keep this the biggest and best Rotary Club in Whatcom County!
President Del read the winner number for the raffle only to find out it was his!!
Meeting adjourned with a subdued swing of the mallet.
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