Rotarians around the world, including in Yorkton, celebrated on Wednesday to mark a very important milestone. February 23 marked the106th anniversary of the very first Rotary Club meeting.
On that day in 1905, Paul Harris and three other gentlemen met to talk about their personal and professional experiences. Out of this simple beginning sprang the world's first international service organization, which has now grown to include more than 1.2 million members in over 33,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas.
A local Rotary presence is also quite strong says Yorkon club president Terry Tyson. In fact, the Yorkton Rotary Club has been in service since 1921, sponsoring service projects to address issues such as poverty, health, hunger, illiteracy, and the environment, both locally and abroad.
"The focus of Rotary in general is basically, the improvement of the human condition," says Tyson. "We focus on bother international projects to improve quality of life in third world countries, to improve education, access to potable water, some bricks and mortar things. At home we focus on children, education as well as vocational studies and improvement for professionals and that type of thing."
Recent local Rotary activities have included:
significant flood relief efforts with a $5,000 donation to the Red Cross and an integral role in the Flood Fund Cabaret;
sponsoring local students for Rotary programs exploring agriculture, technology and citizenship
disaster relief efforts in Haiti and Pakistan through Shelterbox;
a donation of $2,000 to provide access to farmers in India to better tools;
and support of worthy community causes and events, such as Camp Easter Seal, The Salvation Army, Parkland College scholarships, Habitat for Humanity, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Yorkton Boys & Girls Club, and the list goes on says Tyson.
"We have about a 40 member club right now but we're always looking to grow."
As a Rotarian, Tyson says he feels as though he is giving back to his community.
"I've been a Rotarian for about the last eight years... time flies. This year I took the helm as president and it's been enjoyable.
"It's a good feeling that you're doing some positive work while enjoying some good fellowship with like minded individuals. The Rotary motto is 'Service Above Self' and that's what we try to accomplish, is doing good things for people."
The Yorkton Club meets three times per month for lunch meetings.
"As well throughout the year we'll have different fund raising projects. It's not an extremely stringent attendance policy... it fits in pretty well with today's busy schedules."
On a broader scale, each club works towards common goals. In 1985, Rotary launched PolioPlus, spearheading efforts to immunize the children of the world against polio.
Polio cases have dropped by 99 per cent since 1988 says Tyson, and the world stands on the brink of eradicating the disease. To date, Rotary has contributed nearly $US 850 million and countless volunteer hours to the protection of more than two billion children in 122 countries.
Rotary has also raised $US 160 million towards a $200 million challenge grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. "These efforts are providing much needed operational support, medical personnel, lab equipment and educational materials for health workers and parents. But these efforts are ongoing We are SO CLOSE, and we could use your help"
Anyone who would like to contribute to the cause can do so by contacting the current Treasurer, Michele Strocen, at 783-2931 or 621-2898.
"The immediate goal is to meet the $200 million challenge and with a bit of a push we hope internationally Rotary can do that this year."
If you are interested in becoming a member of the Rotary Club of Yorkton, contact Tyson, at 786-4682 or 621-1385.
A wealth of information is also available at: www.rotary.org.
