The Rotary Club of Amherstburg welcomed one new member and brought back another last week.
The club officially inducted Amy Wismer at its meeting last Wednesday night in the Amherstburg Community Services (ACS) community room. Tony Ross was also inducted as a new member, with Ross already having been a member for ten years before leaving the club a few years ago for personal reasons.
“I just wanted to be more active in the community,” explained Wismer, on why she became a Rotarian. “Rotary is all about service and that’s why I decided to join.”
The fact that Rotary is community based is what helped attract Wismer to the Rotary Club of Amherstburg. She added she has been thinking about volunteering for the last year or so.
After speaking with Rotarians, she decided it would be a nice fit for her.
“I thought it would be a good thing,” said Wismer.
Wismer added she is looking forward to helping out where she can.“I’m excited,” she said. “Let’s get going.”
Ross said the personal reasons that caused him to step away from the Rotary Club have been resolved so he wanted to come back. He joked that Rotarian Karen Davidson would often ask him about rejoining when he would go to the bank Davidson manages, so that’s what helped bring him back.
Davidson sponsored both Ross and Wismer for membership.
“I always enjoyed being part of Rotary,” said Ross.
Ross figures it is a good time for him to get back into the club.
“I missed it a lot,” he said. “I finally decided to come back. I’m glad to be back.”
Ross added he has returned “just to help out” and work with other Rotary Club members on initiatives.
“We’ll see what happens,” he said.
Ross and Wismer were inducted into the Rotary Club of Amherstburg by District Governor Russ Jones, who attended last Wednesday night’s meeting with wife Barb. Both are members of the Rotary Club of Plymouth. District 6400 includes Rotary Clubs from both Canada and the United States. He said smaller clubs like Amherstburg see all members having to get involved.
“It’s great with all of the clubs but small clubs punch above their weight,” said Jones. “In a smaller club, everyone has to do stuff. It helps to keep everyone engaged.”
The Rotary Club is about service, Jones added, pointing out the motto of “Service Above Self.”
The Rotary Club of Amherstburg meets on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month in the community room at ACS starting at 6 p.m. New members are welcome. For information, e-mail rotaryclubofamherstburg@gmail.com or call acting president Susanne Rainhard at 519-990-2775.
Rotary Club of Amherstburg welcomes new and returning members
By Ron Giofu