Not long ago I had the privilege of hearing Hyrum Smith, the founder of the Franklin Planner, speak.  The inspiration for the Franklin Planner came from the life of Benjamin Franklin.  This founding father of our great nation had a pivotal moment in his life.  At a time when he was lacking direction, he asked himself the question, “What matters most?”  In answering that question he developed a clear understanding of his “guiding principles.”  From that point forward he dedicated his life to acting in harmony with those principles.  I think we can all agree that Mr. Franklin lived a life that is an inspiration to all.

So what matters most to Encinitas Rotary?  When you look at the activities of our club you find that Service to the community is at the top of the list.  Each year Encinitas Rotary raises in excess of $130,000.  That money is used to support several charitable organizations such as the Rancho Coastal Humane Society, the Friends of the Encinitas Library, The Encinitas Migrant Center, Class Act, and Just in Time for Foster Youth.    Along with these local groups, Encinitas Rotary has funded a water project in Ghana, micro credits in Nepal and Mexico, and helped support an innovative school program, Hand in Hand, that educates Palestinian and Jewish children in the same classroom. 

Along with fund raising, the members of Encinitas Rotary love to roll up their shirt sleeves and help the community through direct action.  Members like Al McKendrick and Kerry Witkin quietly help prepare our young people for the demands of adulthood by teaching classes in financial literacy.  Gregory Harris and Frank Scotti along with other members and high school students have built homes in Mexico.  Bill Wachtler has almost single handedly developed a program to take textbooks that are out of date and ship them to communities around the world that are in need.  Bill Berrier and Bruce Wadman work with passion to help high school students who need a financial boost to achieve their dream of attending college.  Inspired by a presentation given by two Middle Eastern Rotarians who have moved from being enemies to allies, John Conover has spent countless hours helping to promote programs that foster peace in the Middle East.  Within his first year in the club, Bill Sparks saw the need for a program to support underprivileged kids in Encinitas.  He soon founded the Los Angelitos soccer club.  Each year the entire club donates hundreds of hours helping to make Encinitas a more beautiful community.  Encinitas Rotary has built trails at San Elijo Lagoon, spread mulch at Quail Gardens, and built a patio cover at the San Dieguito Heritage Museum. 

The “governing principles” of Rotary are quite clear. All Rotarians are guided by the Four Way Test:

·         Is it the truth?

·         Is it fair to all concerned?

·         Will it build good will and better friendships?

·         Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

The test was developed by Rotarian and entrepreneur Herbert J. Taylor during the Great Depression as a set of guidelines for restoring faltering businesses.  It was adopted as the standard of ethics by Rotary in 1942.

Paul Harris, a newcomer to Chicago, founded the first Rotary Club in 1905 out of a need for fellowship and a desire to serve.  In its 104 years of existence, Rotary has blossomed into one of the largest NGO’s on the planet.  At the core of Rotary is the commitment “to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise."  As an example, Rotary has been a key player in the international effort to eradicate polio from this planet.  Bill and Melinda Gates were so impressed with the efficiency and effectiveness of Rotary International that they made a grant of  $255 million to the polio fight.

The current president of Rotary International is Scotsman John Kenney.   This quote from his president’s message clearly articulates the bottom up emphasis of Rotary.   “In Rotary, everything we are, and everything we aspire to become, lies in the hands of Rotarians in their clubs. If our clubs are congenial and our meetings well run, if our service is carefully planned and competently carried out, if our members are qualified, honest, and respected in their vocations and communities, then all of Rotary will thrive.” 

Encinitas Rotary has to be one of the most congenial clubs in all of Rotary. Soon after joining the club, I realized that the spirit of the sitcom Cheers is alive and well in Encinitas.  No matter how my week has been, I always start to smile and my anticipation heightens as I approach the Elks Lodge on Windsor Dr. a little before noon on Wednesday.  Encinitas Rotary is truly a place “where everybody knows your name and they’re always glad you came.”

If service is a priority in your life and you live and/or work in Encinitas, give me a call and we can talk more about what it means to be a Rotarian. 

Sincerely,

Tom Cozens

760-930-9336