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Why Be A Rotarian?
Written By: Jane Jerry | Issue: 2018/11 - November
Why be a Rotarian?
Let Me Count the Reasons!
It could be the aroma of filet mignon wafting across the parking lot of Highlands Community Building. Or maybe it’s the camaraderie of seeing friends return from the south after a long winter. Or could be the fulfillment of stuffing dental health bags, directing traffic around thousands of trick or theaters, selling rubber ducks for the Fourth of July Duck Race or helping to ensure there’s a wreath on every Veterans’ grave at Christmas.
Or maybe it’s meeting the Students of the Month and cheering on the efforts of High School Student members of Interact Club at Highlands School. Or it could be hearing about Rotary efforts to fund Alzheimer’s research or to eradicate polio from the planet. Then again, it might be learning about the many ways Rotary colleagues are reinventing themselves in retirement!
Delicious lunches…fellowship (and galship!)…community projects…support for Highlands School…fascinating speakers…these are all reasons that people in Highlands belong to Rotary.
There are a number of “Red Badgers” who fly south for the winter but faithfully return to Highlands for the lengthening summer – often from June through October. Volunteer projects that make our community the unique place it is number almost one a week and fit a huge range of interests and almost every ability. Chief among local Rotary causes is providing support for the Highlands School. Every month three students are honored: elementary, middle and high school; Rotary Exchange students speak at meetings and once a year High School students from the Rotary Interact Club run an entire meeting and present reports about their year’s activities.
The highlight of every meeting is a 15-20 minute presentation with Q&A about a huge range of topics. Members take turns either recruiting a speaker or giving the presentation themselves. Peter Ray, under the mentorship of Cynthia Strain, has discovered a love and native ability for photography. He recently shared his photographic trip down the Cullasaja River in all seasons. Members were not only impressed with his ability, but also inspired to imagine how they could shape or reshape their retirements.
As for the wafting aroma of filet mignon (every once in a while)…lunches are catered by Mountain Fresh for the Rotary Club of Highlands, which meets at noon at the Community Building.
