Rotary’s Warm Up Act

Written By: Jane Jerry | Issue: 2017/03 - March

At my first Rotary Club of Highlands Meeting I was ready for the opening meeting rituals: Call to Order, moment of silent reflection and pledge of allegiance to the flag.

What puzzled me a little was the role of the Sergeant at Arms — a Rotarian who strode around the room introducing visiting Rotarians and guests of Rotarians, collecting Happy Dollars, conducting a quick raffle and leading a quest for the Ace of Spades.  Throughout these 10 or 15 minutes, which were punctuated with good-natured ribbing and joking, the Sergeant at Arms remembered everyone’s name and set the tone for the meeting.

As time went on, I grew used to the order of Sergeanting and looked forward to every part.  During the collection of Happy Dollars we learn about new babies and grandbabies, five-year cancer landmarks, and Bingo game winners.  There is great pride in announcements about Swim Team wins, college acceptances, and hoots and hollers over college wins and losses.  One of the happiest dollar announcements was learning the secret to a happy marriage when Luther Turner observed his wedding anniversary.  Every spring multiple dollars are given by relaxed and happy people who are returning to their summer homes and rejoining their Highlands Rotary family. 

Speaking of dollars, lots of currency changes hands during the opening of each meeting.  Yet philanthropically speaking, it’s quite amazing to see the money mostly going back to support Rotary causes.  The Cart Bucket goes around early in the meeting − the contents support the fight against Alzheimer’s Disease, but I forget why it’s called the Cart Bucket.  During the raffle, the member holding the winning ticket wins $50 − which he or she donates to a local Rotary cause or to Rotary International crusade against Polio.  That same winner gets to draw a card out of a deck, seeking the Ace of Spades.  If the Ace isn’t drawn, that pot gets bigger and bigger until it’s finally found  and then the entire pot goes to a favorite cause.  In 2016 we went the entire year, even when there were only two cards − the Ace wasn’t drawn.  Then, during the first meeting of 2017, Julian Franklin drew the Ace out of the brand new full deck of cards!  Julian picked the Highlands-Cashiers Hospital Foundation to be the lucky recipient of the big pot. 

If you have a desire to serve your community, make the world a better place and have a bit of fun, you’d enjoy being a Rotarian.  For more information about the Rotary Club of Highlands, see highlandsrotary.org.

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