District Govenor Bob Carroll visits Spokane South Rotary
Our guest this week was District Governor Bob Carroll, of the Deer Park Rotary Club. In his introduction, AG Jim Schindler listed many of Bob’s roles in Rotary. What was astounding was that he has only been a Rotarian for 92 months! Talk about “hitting the ground running!” He has been the president of his club after only 18 months, an Assistant Governor, an instructor at PETS, attended the Rotary Leadership Conference, and is a Paul Harris Fellow. He leads by example and is a wonderful communicator.
Bob encouraged all of us to attend the District Conference being held in Coeur d’Alene, May 9-11, 2014. He outlined an interesting schedule, with dinner in homes of Coeur d’Alene Rotarians, Luncheon Cruise on the lake, golf, the Governor’s Ball and memorial services, as well as great speakers, focusing on the topic of youth. Our Mike Dalessi will become the District Governor Elect at that time.
Bob shared with us RI President Ron Burton’s theme “Engage Rotary, Change Lives,” of focusing on membership. He wants us to answer a very thought provoking question, “Why are you in Rotary?” We need to share our personal stories with the people we interact with daily, and finding the people in our lives that we think will make good Rotarians.
He told us about the process of interviewing for the office of District Governor, how he was asked to interview for the position, but was told in the same breath that he wouldn’t be selected. At first, he questioned why he would put himself through the pressure, knowing that nothing would come of it. But the process was very helpful and it gave him an insight into what might lie ahead. It gave him a year to think seriously about it and so, he thought he better check with his doctor to make sure he was physically ready for the challenge. The doctor discussed with him how he had seen all stages of life, beginnings, middles and ends. When we reach the end of our lives, it isn’t about material things we have accumulated, but about our generosity and service to others. And he said that Bob was more than ready to take on the challenge!
Bob also told us about his experience at Mary Walker School in Springdale, how he began an Interact club there. In a town of 300, 120 people showed up. Three weeks later in their library, he met Alyssa Glass, a University of Hawaii graduate in marine biology. He asked her, “Why Interact?” She said the answer was easy. “She was sick of honorary positions that accomplished nothing. Kids need a dream and Rotary gives them that dream.” What a gift to give a child!
Bob was thanked in the usual way, followed by a standing ovation. He gave us many interesting stories and good motivation to increasing our club’s membership.