Governor Ramsey Sets the Challenge
The Spirit of Rotary International
September 6, 2005- John Ramsey, District 7770 Governor, received his broad education at The Citadel, West Point, University of Miami and Georgetown University. He honed his skills in management in the U.S. Postal Service as a Postmaster in Summerville and a regional manager in South Carolina. Today he heads the vibrant South Carolina district of Rotary International.
Focusing on Rotary International he told us that our organization is the oldest of its kind in the world. The excitement was evident as 43,000 Rotarians from worldwide gathered in Chicago for the 2005 convention.
Looking to history for his message he told of Sgt. York of World War I fame who ranked his Rotary membership pin as equal to his Medal of Honor. The 32,000 Rotary clubs world wide demonstrate the Spirit of Rotary. This spirit focuses on three truths of what Rotary members contribute:
1. Networking and professional contacts which are essential to friendship which is critical to life.
2. High ethical standards with an emphasis beyond self.
3. Promotion of international understanding to promote world peace.
Focusing on Rotary International he told us that a committee is currently at work to expand Rotary to China; another committee is focusing on re-establishing Rotary in Cuba, remembering that in 1959 the Havana club was world famous; a third is dedicated to spread a culture of free enterprise and education throughout the Atlantic World.
The Spirit of Rotary can be summed up by a recent Wall Street Journal speaking of Rotary’s work in fighting polio which stated that Rotary “is the most effective private health effort ever; Rotary deserves the Nobel Peace prize.”
Submitted by Fred Sales, Keyway Committee