PACER
You certainly gave me a lot to think about in order to reply to your
email.
First I have to say that what I may say to you in no way controls the
leadership group of your club. They may, although I hope not,
disagree with me, in part or in total.
Volunteerism is giving of one's self to better the conditions of
someone else's life or living conditions. Sometimes it is hands on
participation or what some call sweat equity, while other times it is money to help
the organization accomplish tasks that we can take ownership of and feel
rewarded by participating that way. Both ways are extremely important in both
our local community as well as half way around the world if that is where
we are improving conditions. We all have to balance our family and job with our volunteer
involvement. The economics of job and family also have to be considered in that
balance. I don't feel that volunteer activity should ever critically
jeopardize either a job of family. And, I don't feel that every volunteer must work the
same hours, or give the same $ value.
All that being said, maybe my story will assist you in identifying
with your Rotary experience. In 1973, my brother placed my name in nomination
for membership in the Detroit Rotary Club. Now, we had had some
discussions about membership in organizations and the importance of that
activity, but it was because of the "interview" with an elder Rotarian,
although brief, that made me think about the why of Rotary. In the ensuing weeks, I
investigated several other "service" organizations, but came to the
realization that for me, in my mind, it was important for "me" to give something
back to the community that I had been taking from for some time. I responded to
Rotary and attended a few meetings as a guest. I began to realize that I
would not only meet some great people, but that it would probably be good for
business.
Plus, I would learn about things informally that I would not
otherwise have exposure to. I made the decision to join Rotary as what I believed to
be the best service organization at the time. This was when my first
daughter was born. I was in business for myself as a Real Estate Broker Owner. The
business grew and moved but I was never "rich" in terms of
$s to spread around, so I took opportunity to participate with "sweat
equity". Paying my dues and meals stretched the budget regularly. But I stuck with it,
because I still felt the need in "me" to do something to give back.
Through the years, my business changed, my family has grown and gone, and I have
learned that I have probably gotten much more than I have given in a
multitude of ways, by being a Rotarian. And, yes, in some cases now, even though
I'm still not "rich", I find it easier to write a check than to sweat
some equity in a project. The bottom line is that I feel better by doing either one,
and own a piece of Rotary in my heart, and that is the most important thing.
No matter what anyone else does or says, I do what I can do, and I feel
good about it.
I can only encourage you to be yourself. Define your own value,
and share what you can share, while maintaining your life, family and job
in perspective. I hope some of my comments have made sense, even though I
know they weren't specific to your questions. One thing I know is that you
must be a good Rotarian or you wouldn't have written the email. Keep on
being a Rotarian.
Sincerely,
Lynn T. Morgan
District Governor (2002-2003)
Rotary International District 6380
23037 Frederick
Farmington MI 48336-3932
248-478-8434
Fax 248-478-6426
Email Rotary6380@aol.com (Lynn Morgan)
The Sign Makers
Do the Sign Maker's control us? They must have quite a lucrative income. I wonder if they are the ones down the street with the large houses. If I had thought about it when I was younger, I would have pointed my career that way..
I saw several signs on the way home today. One said "Watch for Range Cattle." O.K. and if I see one, what am I suppose to do? I've seen the same sign for deer and children. There is no phone number to call. I think they forgot to put in on there; guess there are a few Sign Makers who aren't very bright.
"Patrolled by Aircraft" is another sign. I really do feel safer when I see that sign. I often wonder "What kind is it?" Is there an F-15 soaring above to protect me? If someone cuts me off is he going to zoom down and blow the car off the road. I tend to think, though, it is a Stealth Fighter because I have never seen it. I wonder if those Sign Makers have a contract with the U.S Government. Does it help the pilots with target practice? Do the Sign Makers receive a certain amount of money for each car that gets blown off the road?
One that I have to disagree with is "Do Not Feed the Bears". I'm sorry but if a bear wants my lunch, it can have it. What am I going to do? "No, you big ugly hairy thing, you can't have it." I hate to tell the Sign Makers, but that bear is much bigger and meaner than I am. I really don't want to be dragged off into the woods over principle here. The Sign Makers have seen way too many cartoons with Yogi in them.
Another sign says "Workmen Ahead." That's O.K., if there are workman ahead, I should slow down. Every time I go by, though, there is no one working but there is a group of people on the side of the road drinking coffee. Looks as if it is a social meeting. Maybe there should be another sign for those times. "Workman on Break", would probably be up more often. I wonder if they are on the Sign Makers payroll?
"Slippery When Icy" - really got to love that one. When I walk to my car in the morning and fall on my ass, think I can figure out that it is slippery. "Watch for Blowing Snow" is another one that fits into that season. I hate to tell them this but when there is blowing snow, there is no way I can read their sign. Tell me, why are those signs out there in the summer when it is one hundred degrees? Do the Sign Makers have it so easy that they can just leave them there? Who did they buy off so they don't have to take them down?
I have often wondered about the "Stop" signs. Do they get an extra amount of money for making them a perfect octagon? Is there an underground industry that cuts them so perfectly? Do they have any influence over the Sign Makers or are they a sub-culture of the Sign Makers? Where is the "Go" sign? Is that the one that says "Go to Your Local Toyota Dealer for Big Savings?" If you ask me they are very confusing.
This time of year in the Canada, the Sign Maker's are very busy because so many signs are pounded into the ground. One will say " A Vote for me is a Vote for your Kids." Now, I don't know about you but I really didn't vote for my kids, they were to young. Another will say that "He will Lower Taxes." I see so many tax dollars pounded into the ground it seems to me that he isn't telling the truth. The truth of the matter is that after the election, the signs are left there. After we decide they aren't going anywhere, someone gets hired to remove them. Shouldn't the Sign Makers pay for part of that? No I suppose they are immune from that.
There are even signs on cars these days. I have always thought that your car is and always should be your sanctuary. I really don't want people reading my car. I saw one the other day that had two mouse ears on it. On the side it said "Let us Exterminate Your Pests." I think maybe they should first exterminate the car. We really don't need cars driving down the roads that look like Mickey Mouse. Yes, those Sign Makers have become very creative.
So many signs everywhere. Some tell me how far I have to go, others tell me how fast I can go. Some tell me where to shop or where to go on vacation. In retrospect, I really should have become a Sign Maker.
WEB SITE
If anyone has any suggestions for content
on our Web Site please submit to the editor.