Rotary Education - The "Holiday" Spirit

Since it is the Holiday Season, I thought I would bring some Rotary Education about Tolerance and International Differences:

Rotarians are memebers of an international organization that is dedicated to world understanding and peace. As Rotarians we should be tolerant and understanding of the differences in the laws, customs and traditions of other countries. We should strive to strenghten the bonds of understanding, goodwill, and friendship through our tolerance of others regardless of these differences.

What I do for Rotary!

I went to UCONN Travel Clinic for my innoculations to prepare for the upcoming trip. The Clinic is about 45 minutes from my house and I felt pretty good on the ride up. Felt alright in the waiting room too. But then the nurse called me in and I began to panic. I hate needles and I was expecting 4 of them. I was extremely relieved when the doctor told me I only needed Hepatits A and Tetanus. Apparently Typhoid is an oral vaccine - I can't swallow pills but I will figure that out later. At least I am now down to 2 shots. I warned the doctor of my distate for needles and she seemed concerned that I would faint. I assured her fainting was not an issue - crying maybe - but not fainting. I have to say the shots themselves didn't hurt at all. The muscle pain from the Hepatitis A set in fairly soon after the shot. My entire left arm hurt - from wrist to arm pit. Later the welt from the Tetanus appeared. I couldn't sleep on either side for several nights.



I can't wait to see the size of the Typhoid, Malaria, and Cipro pills!

Rotary Education - The Four Way Test

The 4-Way Test was adopted by Rotary in 1943 and is a good statement of business ethics.

Of the things we think, say, or do:
1. Is it the TRUTH?
2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?
3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?"

Every year Rotary District 7980 holds a 4-Way Test Speech Contest for high school students. A few years ago I was privileged to attend the event at which the winner was chosen. The finalists gave their speeches about how they applied the 4-way test to an event in their life. These students were extemely impressive and some even brought many of the attendees to tears.

How do you apply the 4-Way Test apply to your life?

Rotary Education - Polio Plus

Polio Plus is an initiative started by Rotary in 1985 to immunize children against polio. At the time there were more than 125 countries that were polio-endemic with over $350,000 children paralyzed by the disease each year. Today there are only four countries that are still polio-endemic: Afghanistan, Nigeria, Pakistan, and India. Rotarians not only raise the funds but they also contribute their time and own personal resources to volunteer at mass immunization days.

Rotary Education - Four Avenues of Service

Rotary has four Avenues of Service. The "Avenues" refer to the four elements of the Object of Rotary: Club Service, Vocational Service, Community Service and International Service.
"Club Service" involves all of the activities necessary for Rotarians to perform to make their club function successfully.
"Vocational Service" is a description of the opportunity each Rotarian has to represent the dignity and utility of one's vocation to the other members of the club.
"Community Service" pertains to those activities which Rotarians undertake to improve the quality of life in their community. It frequently involves assistance to youth, the aged, handicapped and others who look to Rotary as a source of hope for a better life.
"International Service," describes the many programs and activities which Rotarians undertake to advance international understanding, goodwill and peace. International Service projects are designed to meet humanitarian needs of people in many lands.

Rotary Education - Service Above Self

The motto for Rotarians is Service Above Self.

"Rotary is an organization of business and professional persons united worldwide who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations and help build goodwill and peace in the world."

The Team is Chosen

The Rotary District 7980 chose the team members to go to Belize, Honduras, and Guatemala in February 2009. We have 90 days to learn Spanish and prepare our presentations! It is the 90 days to learn Spanish that is the most daunting.