Rotary District Governor Griggers Visits 66th Club

Starting in July 2012, the Rotary District Governor, Robert

H. (Bob) Griggers, completed a 12,000-mile odyssey in November during which he

visited all 66 clubs in the District. The District includes Central, South and

Coastal Georgia. He concluded his visitations at his home club – the Rotary

Club of Centerville. The purpose of his visits were to represent the Rotary

International President and to inquire about the programs each club has

implemented, their future projects and goals, make recommendations and share

ideas. He said, “We have visited clubs with just over a dozen members to clubs

with over 225 members. We met with club presidents not long out of college and

with one club with a grandmother and a granddaughter taking active parts in

their club’s, leadership. We have seen many different ways of reaching Rotary’s

goals. Our clubs have unique ways of bringing smiles to the members’ faces

while raising money for various causes. The District’s clubs epitomize the

Rotary International President’s theme this year – Peace through Service.

Governor Griggers went on to say: “We hear the word peace everyday. We hear it on TV. We read about it the newspapers.

We use it in conversation, and we talk about it at Rotary meetings. But most of

us never think about what peace is, or what the word actually means. What is

your definition of peace? Most would say absence of war or violence. How about

tranquility or freedom of speech/choice or security or not being in danger of persecution,

or suffering from poverty?  Think about it. In our areas and throughout

the world, we have brothers and sisters who are suffering from hunger, domestic

violence, substance abuse, lack of jobs/work skills, diseases, inadequate

housing, and the list goes on. Most people want a sense of personal worth

and the dignity that comes with being able to take care of their families.

Peace is not something that can only be achieved through treaties or

governments. It is something that we can achieve, everyday in many simple ways.

I suggest that if we as Rotarians strive for peace in our own lives, our

families and our communities – then we will be better prepared to help bring

peace to others – and Peace through

Service.