"Rotary: why did you join and why are you still here?" The theme for Rotary International this year is "The Future of Rotary is in Your Hands." These simple words reveal a profound truth regarding this special gathering that we call Rotary. The future of Rotary is up to you and me! As we focus on membership at Flushing Rotary we can focus on two major areas: How do we recruit NEW members and how do we encourage CURRENT members to continue to develop and grow. On August 13th we met as a club to discuss both issues by asking two simple questions: "Why did you join Rotary and why are you still here?" The answer to both questions boils down to one word: PEOPLE! Specifically, why did you join Rotary? Someone that you respected asked you to join Rotary! Some special person influenced you to take a step out of your comfort zone and encouraged you to become connected to the greatest service organization in the world! Sure we joined for many reasons; service to community, networking opportunities and leadership experience, but it still comes down to the people in Rotary. Somebody thought enough about you to invite you join. YOU thought enough about that person to actually join. OK, so why are you still involved with Rotary? Again, the answer is still people! In addition to the person that invited you to join Rotary, you have met many other people that you respect and appreciate being around! As a Rotarian you are connected to some great people! We stay involved in Rotary because we enjoy the people in Rotary! We become involved in community service, fundraising and the educational opportunities of Rotary because we meet other people who have similar goals and are committed to service towards others.
 
"Rotary: why did you join and why are you still here?" The theme for Rotary International this year is "The Future of Rotary is in Your Hands." These simple words reveal a profound truth regarding this special gathering that we call Rotary. The future of Rotary is up to you and me! As we focus on membership at Flushing Rotary we can focus on two major areas: How do we recruit NEW members and how do we encourage CURRENT members to continue to develop and grow. On August 13th we met as a club to discuss both issues by asking two simple questions: "Why did you join Rotary and why are you still here?" The answer to both questions boils down to one word: PEOPLE! Specifically, why did you join Rotary? Someone that you respected asked you to join Rotary! Some special person influenced you to take a step out of your comfort zone and encouraged you to become connected to the greatest service organization in the world! Sure we joined for many reasons; service to community, networking opportunities and leadership experience, but it still comes down to the people in Rotary. Somebody thought enough about you to invite you join. YOU thought enough about that person to actually join. OK, so why are you still involved with Rotary? Again, the answer is still ÃÆ'Æ'Æ'ÃÆ'†'ÃÆ'Æ'†'ÃÆ'Æ'Æ'ÃÆ'¢â‚¬Â 'ÃÆ'Æ'Æ'ÃÆ'†'ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃÆ'¢â€šÂ¬ÃÆ'…¡ÃÆ'Æ'Æ'ÃÆ'¢â‚¬Å¡ÃÆ'Æ'‚ÃÆ'‚¢ÃÆ'Æ'Æ'ÃÆ'†'ÃÆ'Æ'†'ÃÆ'Æ'Æ'ÃÆ'¢â‚¬Å¡ÃÆ'Æ'‚ÃÆ'‚¢ÃÆ'Æ'Æ'ÃÆ'†'ÃÆ'Æ'‚ÃÆ'‚¢ÃÆ'Æ'Æ'ÃÆ'‚¢ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃÆ'¢â€šÂ¬ÃÆ'…¡ÃÆ'Æ'‚ÃÆ'‚¬ÃÆ'Æ'Æ'ÃÆ'¢â‚¬Â¦ÃÆ'Æ'‚ÃÆ'‚¡ÃÆ'Æ'Æ'ÃÆ'†'ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃÆ'¢â€šÂ¬ÃÆ'…¡ÃÆ'Æ'Æ'ÃÆ'¢â‚¬Å¡ÃÆ'Æ'‚ÃÆ'‚¬ÃÆ'Æ'Æ'ÃÆ'†'ÃÆ'Æ'†'ÃÆ'Æ'Æ'ÃÆ'‚¢ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃÆ'¢â‚¬Å¡ÃÆ'‚¬ÃÆ'Æ'…ÃÆ'‚¡ÃÆ'Æ'Æ'ÃÆ'†'ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃÆ'¢â€šÂ¬ÃÆ'…¡ÃÆ'Æ'Æ'ÃÆ'¢â‚¬Å¡ÃÆ'Æ'‚ÃÆ'‚¦people! In addition to the person that invited you to join Rotary, you have met many other people that you respect and appreciate being around! As a Rotarian you are connected to some great people! We stay involved in Rotary because we enjoy the people in Rotary! We become involved in community service, fundraising and the educational opportunities of Rotary because we meet other people who have similar goals and are committed to service towards others. So if the future of Rotary is REALLY in your hands and if the key to membership is REALLY people what can you do? How about inviting someone that you respect to breakfast! Introduce them to those outstanding people in Flushing Rotary who remain committed to service above self. Flushing is a great place to live! Flushing Rotary is a great place to serve!