Why did I join Rotary? Well the truth is Viktor caught me in a weak moment. In April 2007 my son, James had died and all of sudden I had a whole bunch of spare time on my hands. In October I started reading and learning about things philosophical. A month later, Madeleine and I went to a Rotary talent show, and I found the whole thing quite emotional. Whilst we were helping clear up after event, Viktor approached me about helping start up a new club. I had no excuse, the time the club was to meet was at the prospective member’s convenience. More to the point, I had this vague feeling I wanted to give back, to the community and the world at large for the gift that had been James.
My Rotary and my philosophical learning grew. Philosophically, I learned that when I wanted a better world, what I meant was I wanted the world to be the way I wanted it to be. Now Rotary does think of making the world a better place some way, but by and large what Rotary and indeed many people think of ‘better’ I want too. So for me, Rotary has become a way to shape the world in the way I would like to see it. That might sound egotistical; but, it is as accurate a picture as I can paint.
So, what do I want the world to look like? A world with less war, poverty and disease. OK that all sounds pretty grand, a bit like the pageant contestants’ answers in Sandra Bullock’s Miss Congeniality. But as journeys do start with the first step, this is a first step.
The vague plan – for me education is a key aspect if not the key to reducing war, poverty and disease. We get the best bang for the buck teaching women, not just because they need it, but that they have a greater influence on the next generation. That is what I like about our Suzie’s Sewing project in Kenya, it helps children on so many levels.
A slightly less vague plan – look for projects where education is a central tenet of the project.
To do this we need to raise money; but, in the current environment that is an interesting challenge. So in the meantime we can grow our club, especially as a means to an end through Viktor’s and our eClub initiative. We will have to see how to integrate our future eRotarians and find a balance for local and international projects that meets the wants of our e-members and local members.
So I welcome future, current and past Rotarians to help shape the world to how we would like it to be.
Waneta Sunshine Rotary 