98 ½ years ago, a group of local gentlemen got together and formed the first Rotary Club in the Southbridge area. At that time Rotary was a men’s only club. Over the years they did their best to act in the spirit of the 4 way test, that being:Is it the Truth?Is it fair to all concerned?Will it build goodwill and better friendships?Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
It is not given to us to debate the reasons for the Club’s decline today but to accept and realize that the world is not what it used to be. People today are busier than in the past, living under new stresses and pressures with a multitude of changes in how we think, act and live. There appears to be greater inward motives to our actions today than in the past.At this time our Club does not appear to be fulfilling the mission of Rotary, that is to provide service above self. With our lack of having sufficient members to fulfill Rotary’s mission, our Club is not acting in the role that we have come to expect from Rotarians. Instead our meetings lately have taken on the appearance of a luncheon social club with only 5-6 members attending, rather than that of a Rotary Club. That being the case, the directors and membership have voted to end the Club’s existence with today’s meeting, just 17 months short of our 100th year of service to our community.But instead of focusing on the closing, let’s focus on the good the Club has done over the years.Since its beginning, this Club has served its communities well, granting many thousands of dollars in scholarships, leadership training, and physical assistance to others and serving the Club and their communities in true Rotary fashion. We have donated cash, time and service to many local efforts and charities and put many young people on the path to a good education and future. We have worked with the school system to form Rotaract Clubs and worked with Guidance Counselors to award scholarships and RYLA Leadership Conference attendees. We had luncheons honoring the honor students and athletes. We participated in the town’s anniversary celebration and developed one of the few fireworks displays ever held in this community. We worked with hospital staff to operate our annual golf tournament which raised thousands of dollars for our good works and for the hospital as well. We also aided in the spread on the Rotary message in the area by sponsoring the creation of the Sturbridge Rotary Club on 6-30-1972. That creation was my very first experience with Rotary as I was one of the founders of that Club.One of Rotary International’s great accomplishments was to eliminate the restrictions that prevented women from joining the organization in 1987. That decision helped make Rotary a stronger and better organization and is part of the reason this Club lasted as long as it did.This Club leaves behind a great legacy of care, involvement and concern, and the town and our students will be poorer for the loss of this great Club. There will be no more Rotary Scholarships, no more RYLA scholarships, no more contributions to local worthy causes, no more service to the community or those in need and no more setting an example of Service Above Self.To those of us who have dedicated decades of ourselves to the Rotary ideals, the closing of this Club is a very sad and distressing situation, however we are very grateful to have been a part of all the good this Club has done over the last 98 ½ years.So at this time my Rotary experience ends but I will always be grateful for the good I have done and friendships I made due to being a Rotarian.And so, there is only one thing left to say. Farewell and my best wishes to you all.