Quite a fellow

I've been in the Woodstock Rotary Club for 13 years.
When I first joined, I felt kind of like an imposter. I mean, who was I to be rubbing elbows with the business leaders of the community? Bankers, lawyers, insurance executives, people who managed hundreds of people.
At the time, I was the editor and general manager of a small weekly newspaper with a staff of about 15 or so.
Don't get me wrong. I was glad to be there. I had attended several meetings - covered them as a reporter. I saw firsthand some of the things the Rotary club did in the community. So when Jane asked me to join, I said I would be glad to.
In addition to being an international service organization, something that Rotary does for professional people is that it gives them an opportunity to get to know each other. Rotary helped me better recognize my community and gave me an opportunity to directly interface with community leaders, past and present.
Rotary has a wealth of retired professionals in addition to those currently on the job. I got the chance to find out a lot about the history of my club and my community from these veteran statesmen.
I can call them statesmen, because women were not allowed in the local Rotary club until the mid-1980s. We just now have women who have been in the club almost 20 years, whereas we have at least one male member who has been in 50-plus.
Rotary introduced me to a man I have considered a mentor. He has since retired, but at the time he managed a manufacturing plant outside of town - a very high-pressure job - yet he has always had the heart of a servant. Whether Rick was doing something through Rotary or leading the local campaign for the March of Dimes, he was an interesting combination of type-A manager and compassionate human being.
If I had a problem at the office, he was the first person I would call. He cut through the bull and often made me take a hard look at the situation (including putting myself under the glaring light of truth). It's great to have a friend like that. He's kind of like a big brother.
Last Friday night, the Woodstock Rotary Club celebrated its 81st anniversary. I have been the chair of this event for the past few years. It is something I enjoy because it celebrates the history of our club which is only 20 years younger than Rotary International.
Rick and his wife and the Ump and I sat at a table near the front of the room so that I could get up and down since I served as the master of ceremonies (would that be mistress? somehow doesn't sound nice).
The club was giving three Paul Harris Fellow awards that night and Rick was going to do one of those. Paul Harris is the founder of Rotary and this award is given to club members who best exemplify the Rotary motto of Service Above Self.
When Rick got up to give the award, he started with a quote from Shakespeare:
"I am not covetous for gold, nor care I who doth feed upon my cost.
It yearns me not that men my garments wear.
Such outward things I dwell not in my desires.
But if it be a sin to court honor, I am the most offending soul alive!"
I smiled broadly at him, encouraging him because he had told me he was concerned that people might not appreciate the quote. He even memorized it. I was impressed.
Next he said something about the person being honored being a member of the marketing department in one of our local companies...
Is anyone else in a marketing department? I wondered, though it quickly became obvious that the award was going to me.
In 1999-2000, I served as president of this historic club. It was a tough year for me personally. I was diagnosed with cancer in early 1999 and did radiation treatments until May. The club would have let me off the hook, I am sure, if I did not step up to the podium in July, but I decided to do it anyway.
It was the best decision I could ever have made. It was like having a second job, but I gained much confidence and satisfaction from being a leadership position for this club. I learned even more about the club's history and devoted much time sharing that past with the members as we headed to our 75th anniversary.
So on this 81st anniversary night, all of those feelings came flooding back to me. I stood up to receive my medal and pin from the District Governor - trying hard not to cry too much.
I looked at my husband, and he said something about did I notice anyone at the back of the room. I looked beyond him and there were my parents! The Ump had conspired with Rick to bring my parents to Woodstock for this special night.
My mother is in the Rotary club in Covington and she is a Paul Harris Fellow and last year, she made my father a Paul Harris Fellow in honor of his service to the community.
It was the perfect touch to the evening because it is from those two people that I learned the importance of playing a role in your community. From the time I was a child, I have seen them give their time and energy to countless events and organizations that helped shape the Alleghany Highlands.
You don't work to earn honors. At least, that has never been my intention. I give the talents that I have to my community in ways that I hope will make a difference. I do not have children of my own, though I do have a lovely stepdaughter who has been in my life the past four, almost five years. I hope I am a good influence for her. And I want to live a life that honors my husband and my parents. And I hope I am doing what God wants me to do.
I guess this is kind of my Academy Award speech.
They like me! They really like me!