Governor's message: Awareness and Understanding

Before I use the space to discuss “awareness” and “understanding”, I want to ask again all of the district Clubs to keep working on The Presidential Citation Award.  Rotary International President Kalyan has challenged us all in two areas: Foundation Giving and Membership.  The form is on the flash drive that was given to all Club Presidents at Mid South PETS (remember that?).  You can also get it easily online. Just Google, “Rotary Presidential Citation” and you’ll find the link. Clubs must report its efforts by correct form in early April.  Be aware also of President Kalyan’s Changemaker Award, (also available on the flash drive or online). That award will recognize Clubs that make an extraordinary impact through their work in the Avenues of Service.  That form is due to me no later than March 15, 2012.  Contact me if you have questions.

The Transition from January to February is the transition from “Rotary Awareness Month” to “World Understanding Month”.   Awareness and understanding go hand in hand. In late January residents of Somerset and Pulaski County got a small dose of awareness. Construction at the water company caused a water main break which left the entire county under a serious boil water advisory. Because of the location of the break and the severity of the breach we were advised to not even bathe and wash utensils or dishes during the advisory. Thoroughout the two days of the advisory everyone shared their stories of how the inconvenience of the loss of city water had disrupted their lives.  It made me think of folks served by the handful of water projects I have worked on since having been in Rotary.  Substituting bottled water for tap water for a couple of days is no big deal.  Having to walk long distances for water that may or may not be safe is a big deal. I gained a little awareness of and understanding of why Rotary’s commitment to clean water around the world is so important.

In a related story, a Rotarian recently told me about an exercise he participated in while in a Chamber leadership class. The Rotarian and others in the leadership class “volunteered” to be homeless for about 40 hours over a weekend.  The group was taken downtown and freed of their wallets, purses, cell phones and car keys. As a group they had to go find a homeless shelter who could take about half of them and the other half had to go find another shelter. During the days the group was turned out on the street.  The Rotarian explained by the time the exercise ended on Sunday he had a much greater awareness and understanding of homelessness.

As we enjoy easily attainable necessities of our life - water, food, shelter, and medicine; we need to think about those here and abroad who do without.