20 September 2012 Business Meeting

Rotarians discover how Rotary wise they are

Why is Rotary so called?  What was the Chicago-based founder Paul Harris' personal connection with ? When were women first admitted as members? These were three of the 20 questions that challenged the knowledge of both long-standing and newer members of the Bridge of Allan & Dunblane Rotary club at their meeting on Thursday evening.

Following a questionnaire a few months ago to gauge members' opinions on how to make the club and meetings even more enjoyable, a significant percentage said they would like to know more about the history, as well as gaining more of an insight into the multi-faceted aspects of Rotary. A Working Group, chaired by Claire Reid, was asked to review this and, in conjunction with the Conveners of the main committees and the Treasurer raise the understanding of the Club membership of the aims and working of RI, Rotary GB&I and District by regular short focussed inputs at Club business meetings of selected topics covering  Foundation, International , Community, New Generations and the funding of Rotary in general.

Claire presented her proposals to the members at the meeting and outlined the beginning of a series of short sessions throughout the coming months that will cover a number of key areas in which Rotary is involved. Each club convenor will take it in turn to explain about the numerous projects on which our umbrella organisation Rotary International focuses, as well as the projects in which the club is currently involved.

As a starter, committee member Liz Balding presented 'The fun quiz ' are you Rotary wise?', covering some general aspects of Rotary's history.

            Now in its 108th year, Rotary remains the world's largest and most successful service organisation, with 1.2 million men and women members in around 200 countries and 32,000 clubs. Answers to the specific questions above are:

            "The name Rotary was adopted because the founder members used to rotate meetings in each other's houses. However it was a prophetic choice as the Rotary wheel has continued to revolve across the decades helping to enhance and change people's lives and prospects around the world by spearheading thousands of ground-breaking initiatives,"

            "Even though many non Rotarians think it's a male-only organisation, women have been welcomed into Rotary since 1989 - indeed the current District Governor of this Rotary district is a woman - and several of our newest club members also."

And Paul Harris' connection with was his wife Jean Thomson, who was born in before her family went to . After his death, she came back to and is buried in cemetery."

Winners of the quiz, with a score of 17, were Graham Russell, Bill Kelso, Stuart Brown and Ed Campbell.