Shekhar Mehta

President 2021-22

November 2021

I first discovered the value of service when I saw how a few simple acts can immeasurably change lives. It began when I joined others in my club for a project to bring toilets and clean drinking water to rural villages near our city. It moved forward when we promoted sanitation and provided opportunities for education across the country, thanks to generous gifts from supporters who believed in our projects as much as those of us on the ground did.

I want to share something I learned from PDG Tom Gump of D5950:  Did you know that Rotary is the ONLY service organization that allows its members to visualize a project, write a grant for the project they envision and carry out the project to completion?  Other service organizations determine the projects and allow their members to contribute toward the project(s).  This is why I am a Rotarian!

On February 23, 1905, founder, Paul Harris, invited three Chicago businessmen to a meeting to share fellowship and networking to try and recreate a small-town business environment in the big city. 

Rotary became "International" on May 15, 1910, with the Rotary Club of Winnipeg, Manitoba, followed by clubs in London, Dublin, and other countries.

Over the years, Rotary has grown to become much more than just a business organization, developing humanitarian goals with our motto of "Service Above Self" and our ethical guideline, the "Four Way Test".   

Rotary was also one of the founding partners of the United Nations.

Here’s a very basic question… what do you say when someone asks you “What is Rotary?”

Rotary International’s website describes our organization as “a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.”

If you’re anything like me, when I first joined Rotary and tried to “memorize” that definition of Rotary, I usually ended up either tripping over my words or losing my audience. 

November is Rotary Foundation month!! The time to celebrate the caring and good work we do around the world. And, the time to make a commitment to support the humanitarian work the Rotary Foundation helps us accomplish. 

As of the beginning of November the Rotary Foundation has approved 271 district grants worldwide, totaling  $20,004,489.  Under the seven areas of focus, 391 global grants have been approved for a total funding of $25,429,023. And, sixteen disaster recovery grants have been approved for a total of $399,904. Where do these dollars come from? From Rotarians like us who want to help make this a better world for all, especially for those who don’t have the opportunities we have.