DG Marlee's Message
Is Everyone OK?
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After this big wind storm, we hope that all of you are okay. It is our hope that no one experienced more than the loss of electricity, a few missing shingles and downed trees.
If It Is To Be It Is Up To Me! This year’s MDPETS team knocked this training session for our incoming Club Presidents right out of the park! Well done, DGE Reg Madison and team!
While attending this training event’s luncheon, I met up again with a friend of District 7090; DG David Forward* was the luncheon keynote speaker. David is a wonderful speaker, but more importantly he is renowned for his knowledge of Rotary International and our Rotary Foundation and his passion to tell our story in a way that is meaningful and in an entertaining manner. It wasn’t my first time hearing David speak; however, I learned from him again.
This time he recounted a conversation with one of the top insurance salespeople in the US. As David put it, he asked this gentleman how he was able to year after year be the top in sales. This well versed salesperson didn’t spout a new methodology or his own never fail - close, which I sort of expected David to share with us next. No. Here is what the wise and wealthy gent said, “IF IT IS TO BE IT IS UP TO ME.” Just ten-two letter words. This is the gent’s life affirming quote that takes him through all of his activities. Hmmm…
I didn’t hear much of the rest of David’s stories for he is a story teller. Instead, after writing the quote on corner of a page, I stared off in space thinking about what these ten words meant to me as it pertains to Rotary, my role as DG and my role within my club. You see this simple statement had brought me up short. Made me think! Might it be giving you pause to think about your role in Rotary.
If It Is To Be It Is Up To Me…I have to own one day recently when I certainly was not living up to this. My Bill sees that he should get everything all set up our meetings, no he isn’t named the Sergeant At Arms or even on that committee; he’s retired and sees that this is something he can do to help out. Well, he sees my role in this set-up as placing the songbooks out, yup, our club, Albion, is a singing club. That particular day, I had other things on my mind and I pushed back by just dumping some booklets on the tables. When it came time to sing, I felt so guilty when members had to search/reach for books. IT WAS UP TO ME, that little task; and I had seen it as not being my job…that was several months ago, however, every time we are asked to stand for songs and the books are properly placed, my guilt surfaces. It really is every Rotarian doing all the little things THAT ARE UP TO THEM to make our club work seamlessly.
I believe that when each of us approach our membership in Rotary by using these ten simple words as our personal mantra – you will be ignited; your member’s enthusiasm and passion will make your club warm and welcoming. The small hurdles that often cause conflicts will be no more. Together you will find new, exciting projects to help your community. Aren’t these the key ingredients to a healthy club? Attracting new members and equally important, keeping members that will just have to remain a part of your club?
I challenge you - Why not give this a try? IF IT IS TO BE IT IS UP TO ME. Just doing this once will have little value, but over a year, I am convinced it will change you from a member to being a Rotarian. Please accept my personal challenge. And might you reach out to all your club’s members to accept your challenge. IGNITE EVERYONE’S ENTHUSIASM AND PASSION!
*David Forward, District Governor – 2015 – 2017, Rotary District 7500, author of the Frank Talks Book with RIP Frank Devlyn, The History of Rotary - Rotary Centennial 2005 and now Doing Good in the World, to celebrate The Rotary Foundation’s centennial.