Palo Alto Rotary - Presidents Message

Sixteen leaders of the Palo Alto business community chartered Palo Alto Rotary in 1922. Sixteen who believed and adopted the Rotary Motto of “Service Above Self.”

As we enter our 88^th year, “Service above Self” remains our guiding principle. Our members have accepted a personal commitment to support this concept, both financially and with the gifts of time and leadership. Some examples of our local projects have included members working to feed the homeless, refurbishing and repainting local community facilities, and helping to create entry “gateway” gardens at various places in Palo Alto. We have also provided clean water to villages in India, fuel-efficient stoves in Guatemala and Honduras, wheelchairs to Macedonia, and many other service projects.

Service is expressed through Club Service, Vocational Service, Community Service, and International Service. In 2008 members donated almost $10,000 to Rotary in support of my climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro (see photo above). I invite you to browse our website to learn more about Palo Alto Rotary at work.

But, “All work and no play…” Good Fellowship, is the hallmark of all our activities. We have meetings each Monday that include table talk, a chance to network, possibly a little humor from the podium, and always stimulating and sometimes challenging speakers. We also have many other functions ranging from a committee’s working breakfast to our annual fundraiser where good will and fun rule. This year I hope to see Palo Alto Rotary continue this tradition.

A small group of members is at work on our website, making it even better for this year and the future. It will be the first resource for our members; and it will give visitors a quick view of who we are. We continue to strive to attract new members from our community leaders and to make their experience especially meaningful. This year we are also taking a fresh look at our fundraiser, in light of today’s economic realities.

If you are a fellow Palo Alto Rotarian, Thank you! Thank you for your service and support. “The Future of Rotary is in Your Hands.”

If you are a visitor, and would like to attend a meeting to see first hand what it’s all about, Welcome!

Ralph Adams