Active Service

As many of you know, our District Governor, Lana Rouff, visited our club this week. I heard comments from many of you about how inspiring her address was. In my experience, this is rather unusual. I'm not trying to disparage DG speeches in prior years. But, I can't remember seeing so many people so moved and excited after other DG visits.

I was also very happy to hear Lana speak about one of the central themes I established for this year--what I am calling "Active Service". In her prepared remarks--which I believe she wrote without any prior knowledge of our current priorities--she said how important it is to seek out service projects in our own community.

What she spoke of is exactly what Alan Cohen and his Community Service committee is already planning; we will be helping with local projects, both large and small, mostly in partnership with other local organizations.

That way we can link into the already-existing networks that abound here in Ithaca and not "reinvent the wheel". This is what we are doing with our Katrina outreach. But now it will be much closer to home, giving more of you the opportunity to serve.

And what a thrill it is! There is nothing like giving the gift of your very own talents to help others. You will be surprised what you can do with your own two hands to put a smile on many faces--including your own.

I like to think that the reason the air seemed so filled with excitement and energy after Lana's speech is both because of her inspiring address, and because many of you are so proud of what our club does and what it will be doing. I know I am.

Rotary Does It!