UNDERSTANDING ROTARY
Rotary is a service organisation of business and professional leaders
united world-wide to help those in need, encourage high ethical standards
in all vocations and to work towards world understanding and peace.
Rotarians meet each week to enjoy fellowship one with another and
to discuss ways in which they can serve others through four avenues
of service.
Rotary is an association of almost 1.2 million service minded men
and women actively involved in over 29,000 Rotary Clubs located throughout
162 countries.
Rotarians firmly believe in the motto “Service Above Self” and
they use the following simple but profound guide to life:
The 4-Way Test (of things we think, say or do):
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.
Our four avenues of service are:
CLUB SERVICE where distinct training programmes enable club officers
to work as a team in support of their goals and objectives.
COMMUNITY SERVICE which is intended to bring specific support and
benefit to the community and its residents. Rotarians, their families
and volunteers donate time and effort to serve as student mentors and
assist with transport for the disabled. If money is needed to solve
problems our club initiate the necessary fund-raising projects.
VOCATIONAL SERVICE stressing the dignity of all vocations is available to assist
students to make sound career choices. Our 4-Way Test is an excellent medium
in helping ethical standards to be maintained.
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE generates universal peace and goodwill. Rotary
Ambassadorial Scholarships and Group Study Exchanges are major Rotary
International programmes. The Baldock Club is an active participant
involved in hosting exchange and twin-club’ members in their
own homes.
BALDOCK ROTARY THROUGH THE YEARS
The club has a current membership of 39. We have a thriving and vibrant
fellowship, which together with our strong determination in organising
charitable projects ensures we bring benefit to both international
and local communities. Throughout the years we have provided transport
for the local blind club, organised the senior citizens & Kids-Out
outing/meals, arranged the town carol service, presented gifts to improve
the lot of both young and old in Baldock, funded local charities and
made a substantial donation to the World Refugee Year. A mini-van was
purchased for the Women Volunteer Service together with a specialised
bed and ‘Ambilift’ for Letchworth Hospital. Substantial
support has also been made available for other deserving causes - £2k
for the Ernest Gardiner Day Hospital; holidays for the pupils of Brandies
Close and other needy families from Baldock. £7k was donated
to the fund set up following the tragic death of PC Rod Hull and £7k
was used to provide the roof on the new scout hut. Our fund-raising
events include, Ox-Roasts, Barn Dances, Soap-Box & Donkey Derby’s.
More recently, the sponsorship of a joint concert by the Lexington
Brass Band from Kentucky, USA and Shannon Express; a celebrity evening
with Fred Dibner and a charity golf day have helped fund the £3.5k
donation to the Lister Hospital Maternity Unit, the £10k donation
to the Ground Works Trust Nightingale Play Area Project and continual
financial drip-feed to The Garden House Hospice. The club also sponsored
Mr Phil Good of Baldock and his carer to participate on one of the
Jubilee Sailing Trust’s Tall Ship Voyages that is specifically
designed to assist those who are physically disabled. Internationally,
we have provided educational support and books to overseas schools
and have regularly supplied fully equipped Aqua and Disaster Relief
Boxes to many parts of the world. Also, for the past 34 years we have
been ‘twinned’ with the Rotary Club of ToftLund in Denmark.
Our efforts are not without fun. Theatre trips, days out, dine-out
evenings with family and friends, barn dances and bowling evenings
all provide adequate exercise and entertainment for all club members.
An active Inner Wheel Club exists for the wives/partners of all Rotarians.
A
MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT DAVID DODDS