It is almost four decades since I joined the Rotary Club of Arcadia, California, and almost three decades since I attended my first Rotary International Convention. There is no doubt that I was a relatively unengaged member up until June of 1986, when I joined 18,425 other members of Rotary at the 77th Rotary International Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. To prove the point, I will admit that my idea of going to the convention involved a lot of fellowship around a blackjack table.
Since I had registered for the convention, it only seemed right 
that I should at least drop into the Convention Center and see what was going on. Somehow I was swept up by the crowd and found myself in something called a plenary session in the BIG hall. Figuring that I could afford to delay my visit to Benny Binion’s Casino downtown, I dedicated the next hour or so to see what all of these people traveled from all over the world for. And that was when I heard Dr. Joe Serra talk about his efforts in Malawi to use his skills and our money to change the lives of polio victims, one life at a time. Dr. Joe Serra changed my status from being a not-so-engaged member of Rotary to being a card-carrying engaged believer and Rotarian.
Since that convention in Las Vegas, I have attended a dozen more all over the world; something I recommend to every member of Rotary, especially those who are not totally engaged in what Rotary is all about. Going to these conventions is not an inexpensive activity, but going to the District Conference in your district is far more affordable. You will meet a lot of wonderful people at these events, you will learn about a lot of wonderful programs your organization implements, and you will be both entertained and inspired. If you are lucky enough, you will meet your Dr. Joe Serra.
That pretty well describes why I was so thrilled to hear that our incoming President of Rotary International, Ron Burton, has adopted “Engage Rotary, Change Lives” as his theme for the next Rotary Year. The best part is we don’t have to wait until July 1, 2013, to start engaging members of Rotary to change their lives. By the way, I served as District Governor with Dr. Joe Serra and consider him to be a friend, and I know Ron Burton from his visit to Pasadena for the Rose Parade several years ago. Just two of the many people who have been a part of changing my life since I became engaged with Rotary; try it; you’ll like it.