Conference News
Posted by Melisa Schrock, 7090 Conference Chair
WHERE ARE YOU IN YOUR ROTARY JOURNEY?
Recently, I was speaking to a club about the upcoming District Conference, when I was asked “How long have you been a Rotarian?” My immediate response was, “I became a Rotarian in 2003!” However, no sooner had the words left my mouth when I replied, “Hang on! That’s not really accurate. I joined Rotary in 2003. I became a Rotarian in 2013 on a trip to Africa!” Driving home after that meeting, I reflected on that exchange, and the 10 year gap in my answer. Don’t misunderstand - I’ve had several meaningful Rotary moments in that 10 year time span. Our family has hosted many youth exchange students. I have served on the board of my Club for most of that time. I acted as the liaison to the Interact club at our school. My husband (also a Rotarian) and I work as mentors with at risk youth with our school on behalf of Rotary. I have been named Rotarian of the Year as well as received the Paul Harris Recognition. I love Rotary! I love Service above Self! However, in 2013, during a trip to Africa to follow up on a water well project my club was involved with, all of that changed. In an instant, I suddenly realized what it meant to be a Rotarian.
Myself and fellow Rotarian Keith Hatswell were doing village assessments in an effort to determine where future water wells would be dug. Since we knew not everyone could have a well, our Rotary club, the Akron-Newstead club, purchased Sawyer water filer systems to leave behind as a gift to the communities we visited. Our message was, “We can’t promise you a well, but here is a water filter system that can purify small batches of water for your village to use.” During a demonstration to the villagers, I observed a woman intently watching us pour the dirty, filthy water from their current water source, into this container, turn the spigot - and out out came a glass of clean water! As she raised the glass to her lips, it suddenly occurred to me that I was watching someone drink a clean glass of water for the first time in their life! It was overwhelming. Simply put - one of the most humbling experiences of my life. I was forever changed at that point. Filled with immense pride to be a Rotarian and realizing that this will forever be my calling.
So I ask you… what is your Rotary moment? Perhaps you haven’t had it yet? Or have you, and you’d just like to continue to share it with others? Consider coming to our Rotary District 7090 Conference this year October 21-23, 2016. While we won’t be digging water wells, we will be working on hands on service projects to help curb hunger in our local communities, packaging hygiene kits for underprivileged children in Africa and sewing reusable sanitary napkins for young girls in developing nations who miss 25% of their education due to the lack of supplies during their menstruation cycle. But most of all, consider joining in and having a blast with a group of like-minded people who all share the passion of the Rotary Foundation and Doing Good In The World.
For more information on the District 7090 Conference, go to http://www.districtconference7090.org.