Halt! Before you make even one more move stop, take a moment, and complete the Four- Way Test. Of the things you think, say, or do, ask yourself the following questions:
Is it the truth?
Is it fair to all those concerned?
Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
Will it be beneficial to all those concerned?
Created by Herbert J. Taylor in 1932, these four questions can be applied anywhere in life and practically define the actions of Rotary International.
January is Rotary Awareness Month. More than 100 years ago, Rotary was nothing more than a really good idea. In 1905 the first Rotary Club was established in Chicago by Paul P. Harris, who wanted to capture the friendly, small-town spirit of his youth in the form of a professional club. Soon, clubs were popping up across the United States and Canada, eventually spreading to other continents. By 1922 the organization adopted the name Rotary International.
Today there are more than 34,000 Rotary clubs worldwide, totalling 1.2 million members. Nearly every country in the world has at least one Rotary Club. The organization is open to all people of all shapes, sizes, and colours, and is not affiliated with any political or religious organizations. Its aim is to provide service in the community, workplace, and around the globe. "Peace through service" is Rotary's motto this year, and its members go to great lengths to practice what it preaches.
Right now the organization's biggest campaign and broader mission is the initiative to end polio. The initiative started as the project of specific clubs that worked to deliver vaccines to children in the Philippines. Rotary International, led by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, has now helped wipe out the disease in 193 countries. Know how many polio-endemic countries that leaves in the world? Three. Just 60 U.S. cents can vaccinate a child and protect them for life.
Squamish's own Rotary Club is doing its part to promote "peace through service." Founded on Sept. 12, 1966, the Rotary Club of Squamish now consists of more than 60 hardworking and dedicated members. This year the club's local project was the fundraiser for a new dental health unit at Hilltop House, for which the club surpassed its goal by $5,000, raising a total of $11,000.
The club's international project was to bring clean water to Africa. The project sits among a slew of international initiatives which include the sponsoring of an orphanage in Africa, the building of a medical centre in Guatemala, and the support of children's education in Mexico.
Other local projects include youth programs such as Rotary Exchange and a series of adventure programs, Interact and Rotaract. The club has also supported Logger Sports for more than 40 years, Community Christmas Care, and much, much more.
Of the future for the Rotary Club of Squamish, club president Denise Imbeau is optimistic.
"As our local club is well respected and extremely active, I expect our foreseeable future to be like out past," she wrote in an email. "I think we will continue to be instrumental in helping our community with a variety of projects."
Regular meeting time for the Rotary Club of Squamish is Thursdays at 12:15 p.m. at the Howe Sound Inn and Brew Pub. Imbeau reminds, "We also have fun. We enjoy each other's company."
For more information you can visit squamishrotary.com or contact Imbeau at [email protected].
