These clubs existed before you were born.
They persevered through the Great Depression, through WWII, the Korean Conflict, Vietnam, Civil Rights Unrest, and even women joining Rotary. As long as humankind exists, there will be things to be done, people to be fed, helped and loved. The heart of service never grows old, Rotary will be there to do it.
These clubs, The Rotary Club of Elizabethtown, The Rotary Club of Lititz, and The Rotary Club of Mt. Joy has done it for 100 years – 100 years of impact, of friendship, of service. The crowd joined in raising a glass "To those who started it, those who continued it, those who serve today – and to those who will carry it on."
That is 300 years of impact - of improving their community, global partners, and of friendships. When you add in the other five clubs in our District that have already hit 100 years (Carlisle, May 1921, Gettysburg Nov 1920, Lancaster July 1915, Lebanon April 1921 and York June 1916) that's 800 years of impact!
The friendships alone are worth joining Rotary, and when you add in the bonus of service, it is just one way you can help save the world (which everyone wants to do, but doesn't want to help Mom do the dishes...). There were displays on Saturday showing the clubs through the years. One large picture showed our District as once part of East Pennsylvania, Virginia and Maryland. My, how we've grown.
It's time to grow Rotary again - for the friendships, the leaders, and for Service Above Self. I hope you enjoy Rotary as much as I do - and if not, tell me why. While each club has its own culture, it is still part of a movement across the world. With our help, we can help bring about another 100 years of impact - or in our District, 4,000 years of impact. How? By inviting your friends, neighbors and coworkers to join you at a meeting or to find a meeting near their home. Talk about Rotary, what your club is doing and why. Talk about why you continue to go. Tell your leadership what you'd like to be doing differently or in addition to current projects. Tell District if there is a Resolution you think RI needs to consider at the next Council of Legislation. The organization is good and useful to you in response to the effort you give to it. Help us Create Lasting Impact (next year's theme by the way).
