My Experiences in Rotary

For more than 20 years, I have tried to practice what Rotary teaches. To my very pleasant surprise, I heard from a good number of HomeCare readers about how they, as Rotarians, feel about the events on which I commented in this magazine's August issue. Thank you!

A few callers mentioned they were Kiwanians. I was one for many years when I worked out of Huntington, N.Y. That is a long time ago. When I was a practicing pharmacist and then left that business for medical supplies, I always felt it imperative to participate with local civic associations. I recommend that if you do not belong to a Rotary or Lions club, Kiwanis or any of the many similar organizations, please consider joining. To be a success in any community, you have to give something back.

Mrs. Prial and I love to travel. Many of our most pleasant experiences happen when we visit a local Rotary Club (and they are found almost everywhere) and discover what we might have missed if we did not attend.

In Hammondsport N.Y., for example, we were guided to visit two museums, the Glenn H. Curtiss Aviation Museum and the Bully Hill Vineyards Museum. We never appreciated what Curtiss contributed to flight (he is best remembered as a pioneer of Naval aviation) nor did we understand much about the wine industry in upstate New York. We learned a lot at these rather small museums, and it added much to the pleasure of our trip.

We have visited Rotary Clubs in Stockholm, Vienna, Brussels, Paris, London, Copenhagen and other ports of call. In Stockholm, Oslo and Brussels, they conducted the meetings in English so we would be able to participate. In the UK, they also hold their meetings in English (I think). The point I am trying to make is that Thelma and I were made to feel very welcome, we were advised where to eat, what to see and how to get around town. We made friends everywhere we went. Think about that.

Way back in the early 1950s, my first pharmacy became a part of the community. We helped build a new community center. We helped develop two Boy Scout troops, and we got to know all the politicians in town (both parties!).

Another suggestion I will make is that to help your company grow, the community has to appreciate that you are an integral part of it, not just another business operator. Find the time to attend PTA meetings and church socials, and to work with the Little League and Chamber of Commerce.