Rotary Club of Clemmons: A Group that Puts “Service Above Self”

Rotary Club of Clemmons:

A Group that Puts “Service Above Self”

BY SARA MIGLIARESE

The Rotary Club of Clemmons is celebrating 25 years of community service in 2017-2018! What is Rotary? Rotary International (RI) is a worldwide service club founded in 1905 that is currently comprised of “1.2 million neighbors, friends and community leaders who come together to create positive, lasting change in our communities and around the world,” as quoted on the RI website Rotary.org/en. Rotary focuses efforts in six areas – promoting peace, preventing diseases, providing access to clean water and sanitation, enhancing maternal and child health, improving basic education and literacy, and helping communities develop. Rotary is especially dedicated to ending polio in our lifetimes. Rotary members have persevered in this ght since 1979 and have now helped eradicate polio in all but three countries worldwide.

You may have noticed the Rotary symbol on local signs or billboards which has a blue and gold geared wheel with a “keyway” in the center of the gear to attach it to a power shaft, underscored by the motto, “Service Above Self.” In our community, the Rotary Club of Clemmons is putting this lofty motto into action. The Rotary Club of Clemmons is one of nine clubs in Forsyth County, all of which are strengthened by both male and female members in what was once a “male only” organization. The Clemmons club is one of the most diverse Rotary clubs in Forsyth County, with more than 30 percent female members, members with international backgrounds and a growing number of younger Rotarians. The almost 100 members of the Clemmons club use their collective perspectives and insights into the needs of the surrounding community in order to make a difference in the lives of their neighbors and fellow citizens. Rotary’s impact starts with its members who turn donations and fundraising into service projects in Forsyth County and beyond. Clemmons Rotarians have built and maintained playgrounds at the Jerry Long YMCA; bought school supplies for children in need through Bright Beginnings; provided scholarships to students at West Forsyth High School, Forsyth Technical Community College and Winston-Salem State University; helped stock our local and county food pantries; promoted organ donation; honored veterans; served seniors; built clinics abroad; sponsored 40 plus children for Camp Hanes year after year; and lead their communities in work, play and family! And, this short list just barely touches the impact of the club in Clemmons. Rotary can serve more people in need in the community through growing its members.

To Contact Rotary Club of Clemmons or to Attend a Meeting: Village Inn Conference Center: 6205 Ramada Drive | Clemmons, NC 27012 Meets Wednesdays at 7am. Performs service activities some weekday evenings. RotaryClubOfClemmons.com | ClemmonsRotary@gmail.com | Facebook.com/RotaryOfClemmonsEvents As the Past President of the Rotary Club of Clemmons, I had the honor of serving beside many dedicated and caring Rotarians who exemplify this year’s Rotary theme, “Rotary: Making a Difference.” Tara O’Brien, former Rotary Club President in Clemmons, shared, “One of my favorite aspects of Rotary is the diversity of our members combined with the single-mindedness of our mission of service above self. Suddenly race, gender and age don’t matter; we are all of a common purpose and joined as a family in achieving that purpose.”

All Rotary members learn the Rotary “Four–Way Test,” which urges Rotarians to ask the following:

Of the things we think, say or do • Is it the TRUTH? • Is it FAIR to all concerned? • Will it build GOODWILL and

BETTER FRIENDSHIPS? • Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

These are virtuous questions that guide Rotarians in their decisions concerning fundraising, community support and opportunities for fellowship. The Clemmons club works hard every year to raise between $50,000-60,000 so that they can give funds away to people in need of food, education, access to better healthcare and life-changing experiences like Camp Hanes. With a 25-year history of serving the citizens of Forsyth County, especially those in Clemmons, the Rotary Club of Clemmons is positioned as a key service organization that has the manpower and experience to “make a difference” in our community.

Rotary Club