Asked to join The Rotary Club of Dryden in 2000 by a Rotarian member whom I respected as an individual, I had limited knowledge of the service organization.  My children were young and we were involved with a business which demanded much of my time.  Perhaps because of these demands; and not being born and raised in this community with a wide circle of friends, prompted me to attend a meeting and expand ‘me’ as an individual.  My subsequent joining of the organization and volunteering also impacted our children in a positive way through their own volunteer efforts at Habitat for Humanity and animal shelters.
 
Through Rotary I’ve not only had the opportunity to improve my speaking and leadership skills, but to:
  • Host in our home exchange students from France, Brazil and Finland,
  • Help change the lives of children in Guatemala by fundraising for schools there, and
  • To expand literacy skills in both a First Nations community and a developing country Bangladesh as well as
  • Developed numerous friendships within the organization.
As a member of one of three clubs in Northwestern Ontario, (an area the size of France) I have participated in such activities as:
  • Raising over $1.2 million dollars for local projects by working our Thursday night broadcast on CKDR Rotary Radio Bingo program;
  • Chairing the Dryden Rotary Charity Foundation, the committee which disperses the Bingo profits to such community activities as Northwestern Ontario food banks, Christmas cheer, youth programming, high school scholarships and hospital equipment to name a few.
  • Participated in many community activities such as, a highway clean up around Aaron Park; weeding flower planters in the downtown area; delivering Meals on Wheels; Food Bank collection; volunteering at Hazardous Waste Day; and with other fundraising by providing refreshment and bar services for several large annual events
Relying on our motto of “Service Above Self” I feel through Rotary, as a professional business leader, I’ve been able to give service to others over my sometimes ‘selfish self’. Through Rotary I've indeed become part of a community and world-wide "Humanity in Motion" individual.
 If you would like to learn more about Rotary from Rena, E-mail her HERE