District 5580 "Cross Currents" January 2018

In Rotary, our diversity is our strength. This idea dates back to the earliest years of our organization, when the classification system was first proposed. The idea behind it was simple: that a club with members who had a wide variety of backgrounds and abilities would be capable of better service than one without.

 

In the years since, the idea of diversity in Rotary has come to be defined more broadly. We have discovered that a club that truly represents its community is far better able to serve that community effectively. Looking ahead, it is clear how essential diversity will remain in Rotary: not only to strong service today, but to a strong organization in the future.

Submitted by: Debra Warner, District Governor 2017-2018

 

Rotary International’s theme for January is Vocational Service.  What a fine time to focus on Mary Cavalier who was our district’s Distinguished Rotarian in Vocational Service for 2016-2017.  She is a Past President of the Rotary Club of Crookston, served on their board for several years and has worked on all projects that the club does for the community.  She traveled and supported her husband Don during his term as District Governor in 2012-2013 and I know having traveled for the past 6 months as District Governor just how I appreciate my husband Ed’s support.  She retired after teaching elementary school for 35 years and then was a substitute teacher for another 11 years.  During her teaching career, she was the President of the local teacher’s union and was also named the Teacher of the Year for Crookston.  After reading what Mary does in her community, you will see why she was the recipient of this award.  The first concept of Vocational Service is to “encourage and foster” high ethical standards in our business and professional life which Mary has practiced in all that she has done in her life.