Dear Rotarians,

I hope you are having a wonderful start to the week.

Over the rainy weekend, while inside and doing some research on Rotary, I stumbled on this poem that really captures what it is that our great Rotarians do. I also thought you may appreciate hearing from someone else besides me this week :) 

This poem is endearing, clever and moving. Please enjoy the words of Rotarian, Jack Matrow of the Ellinwood, Kansas Rotary Club. I so look forward to seeing you for our regular meeting on Wednesday morning at 7:30 at St. Peter By-The-Lake and also at our Satellite Club meeting on Thursday at 5 pm at Trilogy in the event center, where AG and District Cart Chair, Andie Taylor will be presenting the program. 

WHAT DOES THE ROTARY CLUB DO?

Someone asked me that question once,

And I stood there feeling like a dunce!

What do our Rotarians do!

I hemmed and hawed a time or two,

Then said, "We gather for a meal

And ask each other how we feel. 

Get our food and have some fun,

Chattering till the meal is done. 

 

We get club business out of the way

And have the program for the day,

Some are good and some are great!

And some run on till fairly late."

But then my friend, he turned to go.

"That wasn't," he said, "What I wanted to Know."

 

I've thought a lot about this since.

What could I possibly say to convince

My Friend that Rotary does more than meet.

Greet. Take a Seat, then Eat? 

 

Well, this is how I would make amends

By explaining Rotary to my friends.

5 million children are healthy today

In lands both near and far away

Who otherwise might be disabled or dead

From polio that childhood dread!

 

And hungry children are being fed

Through better ways to grow their bread.

Rotarians in many lands are teaching,

And doctors of all kinds are reaching 

Out to heal the sick with steadfast aim

Without thought for wealth or fame.

 

And men and women are meeting the need 

To teach little children how to read. 

Youth come here from every land   

In answer to our outstretched hand

To learn to know us and know our ways

Bringing peace and friendship to all our days.

 

And clubs are formed in every nation,

For fellowship and conversation,

For education and information,

And practicing the cultivation

Of peace on earth, goodwill to all

And a speedy end to every wall

Which separates the folk of earth

And keeps us from seeing each other's worth.

 

A hundred things there are to say

About what Rotarians do each day,

In every land and every town

To lift someone when they are down

And help each other along the way.

Service Above Self. What more can I say.

 

Well, if my Friend should ask again,

I'll have an answer for him then!

 

By Jack Matrow, Ellinwood Rotary Club

Ellinwood, Kansas

February 10, 1997