Photo by Sally Haslett
Christianne Dettmann
In an ever-changing world, Rotarians, as noted on the website rotary.org, envision one in which “…people unite and take action to create lasting change—across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.” Clubs everywhere use the Four-Way Test, developed in 1932 by Rotary Club of Chicago member Herbert Taylor, to evaluate the things they think, say, or do. The Test asks: 1) Is it the TRUTH? 2) Is it FAIR to all concerned? 3) Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS? 4) Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
Members of the SaddleBrooke Sunrise Rotary Club ask these questions in every meeting. However, thanks to club member and current Treasurer, Roger Swett, this club also always adds: 5) And is it FUN? Service to others need not be tedious, mundane, or overly stressful. Each of us has been given unique strengths that bring us joy, so adding this fifth question to the Test helps members discern which activities reflect the highest and best use of those strengths. Of course, service still involves hard work and dedication, but the same advice given by career counselors applies: Do something you love and you’ll never work a day in your life!
Even during the hot summer months, SaddleBrooke Sunrise Rotary Club members continue to support the community in many ways: stocking Little Free Libraries across the county, loading and unloading food deliveries for the Tri-Community Food Bank in Mammoth, volunteering every third Friday at the Golden Goose Moonlight Madness sale in Catalina, helping the Triangle YMCA camp in Oracle prepare for its summer season, sorting donations for the Arizona Families F.I.R.S.T. Program, raising funds for local causes through the club’s first-ever quilt sale this coming October (watch for details next month), and more!
The SaddleBrooke Sunrise Rotary Club (one of two Rotary clubs in SaddleBrooke) meets in SaddleBrooke Ranch the first and third Thursdays of every month, which means “fifth Thursday” months often involve some sort of get-together. This past May was one such month, and club members gathered along with their significant others to enjoy good friends, good food, and good FUN. To learn more, please email the club at saddlebrookesunriserotary@gmail.com.