One of the joys of journeying around the district to meet with fellow Rotarians during club visits are the lessons I have gained from our Rotary legacy over the years. On the occasion of visiting the Lynnwood club, I was presented with a book entitled Lomcevak by Don Bakken, which spoke to Lynnwood Rotary’s sponsorship of the International Air Fair.
This title is the Czechoslovakian word for “headache.” An apt title in many ways for describing the annual international event, which was challenging, dramatic, and, when successfully completed, spectacular. There were times when the International Air Fair seemed to be out of control; so, the Rotary club had to regroup and redirect its planning and operational efforts toward a successful recovery. By all accounts this was masterfully done.
However, the enduring thought I came away with was the impact that this event had on the development of the local community and its economy. The fact this event originated as an idea with Rotarians demonstrates the capacity for making a difference beyond our clubs. This is why Rotary celebrates Community and Economic Development in October.
This theme represents depth as one gazes down on still waters and wonders what this means in the context of the work that we do as Rotarians. Ultimately, community economic development is used to describe the concerted actions taken for the purpose of economic progress within a specific area – it is the process of generating and sustaining wealth in a community.
How does this fall into the world of Rotary? When you consider that community development is fundamentally based on the values of human rights, fairness, dignity, and respect for each other, then it becomes abundantly clear how Rotary can play a role in the development of its community. This becomes much clearer as you consider how our clubs are integral to the local communities in which they participate in, coupled with the linkage to so many stakeholders of that community, making Rotarians a powerful voice in helping their communities succeed.
Many of our clubs are actively involved with events that support community and economic development where they have leveraged Rotary’s seven areas of focus to drive sustainable development for their locality and beyond. Just this past week Edmonds Rotary organized the local Oktoberfest with tremendous success, where they raised funds more than $65,000 and secured the gold medal for Best in the PNW by the Seattle Times!
These funds will be used to support local organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club of Edmonds but let’s not forget the many other beneficiaries who participated in the event; the local businesses, the Rotarians who found ways to serve beyond themselves, and the many visitors to Edmonds who helped support the event. The Edmonds Rotary Club brought to life the idea of the Oktoberfest because of the meaning and impact it would have on them and their community.
Lynnwood and Edmonds are examples of what we have accomplished and what we can still do when we focus on the values of Rotary to support our community’s development through service. Throughout district 5030, our clubs create imaginative events that bring local businesses, service partners, and the people within their community together to generate memorable experiences for all involved. Whether this is by reaching club accomplishments through 5/10K runs, or listening to local musicians, or bringing people together around wine/food events, the results are always the same which is an opportunity to gather, do good, and help build an appreciation for supporting a service event.
It makes one realize that Rotary’s seven areas of focus have the invisible thread that links them all back to community development in one form or another. As each of us plays our role within our clubs, district, and beyond it bears remembering that we are fundamentally making a difference to the overall well-being of our communities. This enhances those communities over the long term as it will attract employers and investments that can only help Rotary expand its mission of service – truly a virtuous cycle rewarding people of action like Rotarians. In other words, the ideal painkiller to a Lomcevak!
