Rotary is important to me because it allows me to connect with business colleagues, as well as community agencies and non-profits. The service that the club performs is unsurpassed. I love how it allows me to give back - in a big way. And all of us together can make a huge impact, bigger than any one of us individually.

Although my Father and Grandfather (50+ years) had been in Rotary, I first joined because I thought the business contacts would be helpful to.my career. They were ! But I also got involved in a couple committees that I enjoyed the work & fellowship with others. That grew over the years and I found myself really looking forward to the weekly meetings and bringing other great prospects to the meetings as potential members... 47+ years of Martinsburg Rotary has been a joy & a privilege for me.

My work and personal life is extremely busy and is typical of most professionals today. Rotary allows my participation in an organization with designated times to focus on service to my community as well as the world. I also enjoy the collaboration and networking opportunities with professionals who value community service as much as I do, through Rotary. I never want to be too “busy” to make a difference. Rotary provides those opportunities to me.

From the time I was a high school “Junior Rotarian” (for a month), through selection for the “Group Study Exchange Program” (young non-Rotarians) to Australia, finally joining my local club, and now retired, I’ve chosen to live by RI’s motto of “Service above Self”. As a polio survivor, I’ve witnessed that model of life making a huge difference, through Rotary, in the lives of our own citizens, and in communities around the world.

Rotary has opened the entire world to me. I can have an impact any place in the world as well as in my own community! I know that I belong to a community that spans the world and no matter where I might be, I will always have a friend.

Rotary is a service organization, and it lets me participate in both local and international service projects that have become very important to me. Rotary is also filled with positive, upbeat people, and I have met many people here who have become close friends and whom I expect to remain friends with for the rest of my life.

I have been a Rotarian for 6 years. I could never have imagined that Rotary would come to mean so much to me and my family. Being a Rotarian has allowed me to meet extraordinary individuals in my community and abroad. Being part of the Rotary Youth Exchange program as a host parent and counselor has exceeded my expectations. Our family grew by having these girls in our home. We have been able to see both Clara (Belgium) and Wiktoria (Denmark) recently and realized that the time apart did not diminish our love for these girls.

Rotary is important to me because it allows me to make a local, national and global impact all while I network and socialize with likeminded volunteers.

I love our weekly meetings. Talking with a wide variety of people: politicians, doctors, lawyers and business leaders. Minimal “business”. I love that we do things to make the community, and the world, better. I love that we actively work to eradicate Polio.

Being a Rotarian means having the opportunity to experience the fellowship of a Rotary Club which can greatly enhance one’s acquaintances, build lifelong friendships, and help one do for their community what they might never accomplish alone.