August is Rotary Membership month

Rotary is sometimes referred to as the original social network as that is the basis on which we were founded over 113 years ago by Paul Harris. You see Paul found himself as a new attorney in the big city of Chicago with few friends and even fewer clients. He soon realized that in order to grow his business, he needed to form a core network of friends with whom he could exchange business.

Coincidentally, Paul’s story is not very different from my own. You see I joined Rotary in 1997 as the new banker in town and I too needed to make friends and business contacts. And, it wasn’t until I got out of the four walls of my club, that I realized that Rotary offered so much more;

Professional and leadership development and public speaking skills. It’s one thing to manage a team of employees. It’s a whole other ballpark (or in this case football field) to manage a team of volunteers. To stand in front of your club to promote an event or rally support around a cause.

Our children are better citizens of this world and become stronger leaders when they grow up in the family of Rotary surrounded by those who possess high ethical standards, serving alongside of us in our community.

Our humanitarian service in our local communities and throughout the world is unparalleled. Rotary gives ordinary people the ability to do extraordinary things. If you see a need in your community, as a Rotarian you have access to vast array of resources, both monetarily through District and Global Grants and accessing a network of professionals in any given field.

But to build that network, we need you. We need you to share the gift of Rotary with your friends and business associates by inviting them to attend a club meeting, social or service project. It’s all about growing our network.

And that brings us to where we are today at EverBank Field (TIAA), home to the Jacksonville Jaguars. The relationship that we as Rotarians enjoy with the Jaguars is a very special one that has evolved into what it is today. This year's Rotary game day will be held on December 2nd when the Jaguars will take on the Colts. Ticket prices start at only $45, and all but $10 is donated to End Polio Now.

For ticket information visit www.RotaryDistrict6970.org

I hope you will considering joining in the fun and helping us to tackle Polio.

Remember, the world’s children are depending on you TO BE THE INSPIRATION!

This is a tremendous opportunity for great Rotary Fellowship, or to do good in the world by donating tickets to the military, underprivileged children.

Since 2004, our District has raised over $300,000 towards the End Polio Now campaign by partnering with the Jaguars, and when matched by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has resulted in over $880,000.