Fellowship, networking, and service. These are at the very heart of what it means to be a Rotarian. Several citizens of South Walton are currently members of Rotary of South Walton County. Rotary International is a service organization that has been in existence since 1905 and its founder was Paul Harris, an attorney in Chicago. He had the idea for a club of local businesspeople and professionals to come together for community and fellowship. The first Rotary meeting took place on February 23, 1905 in downtown Chicago and Harris began the tradition of the Rotary meeting over lunch, a tradition which lasted for years.
Today, Rotary clubs meet at various times and various places and the South Walton Club meets in person and virtually twice each month. Rotary’s central themes of fellowship, networking and service continue to this very day with 1.2 million members and 35,000 clubs worldwide. Club activities, social events, and volunteer projects offer networking opportunities that build personal and professional connections. And Rotarians can extend those networks by visiting other clubs around the country and the world.
Perhaps the most important part of being in Rotary, is being part of one of the most well-known foundations in existence, The Rotary Foundation. Rotarians and the Rotary Foundation work on “promoting peace, fighting disease, providing clean water, sanitation and hygiene, saving mothers and children, supporting education and growing local economies”.
The Rotary Foundation is also on the list of Charity Navigator’s “10 of the Best Charities Everyone’s Heard of” with an overall score of 99.40.
The mission of Rotary is to “provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders”.
Rotary has been responsible for its work in helping to eradicate polio, provide clean water to help fight waterborne illness and create safer environments for children.
Why not plan to visit a club meeting and experience the fellowship, networking and hear about the work going on today in the South Walton community and around the world? In person meetings, with masks and social distancing are currently being held in the conference room at the back of the South Walton Branch Library on Greenway Trail. The meeting is the first and third Thursdays of each month at 8am. Or you might want to visit virtually. To get the link and any other information, please email Membership Chairman Maurice Stouse at moe.stouse@gmail.com or call President Brenda Whitwell at 228.697.0333.
Author: SWal Life
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