Local Civic Organizations

Get Involved In Your New Community

By Harmony Morrissey

Do you know what it feels like to help a child who has never owned a jacket put on his very own warm coat?

Do you know what it feels like to hand a brighter future to a graduating senior in the form of a scholarship check, which means she will be the first one in her family to attend college?

Do you know the pride you feel when you walk in downtown Hot Springs knowing that you are part of a group that has revitalized the area and continues to shape it into a world-class tourist destination?

Do you know what it feels like to be able to say, "This could be the year that we eradicated Polio from the face of the Earth”?

I do because I am a member of Hot Springs National Park Rotary.

People often ask me what Rotary is, and to be honest, I don’t have a short and simple answer.

The fact is, I joined Rotary a few years ago without really understanding what Rotary is. My perception of the group was that it was a group of movers and shakers in the community – prominent business people excelling in their fields and elite community leaders who wanted to do some good things while getting publicity for their benefit. Boy, did I not get it! Rotary is so much more than that. It is an amazing group of people – people doing extraordinary things together.

Rotary is a community at its very fundamental level. It is about meeting each other, our needs, and our potential. Rotarians are changing the world for the better, and through our connection in Rotary, we are doing things in bigger and better ways than we could ever do as individuals.

I am proud to be a Rotarian. I continually look forward to working alongside my fellow Rotarians, serving the community of Hot Springs, AR, the United States, and the world. I am part of a group that will eradicate a horrible disease from the face of the Earth. Polio will be the second disease to be eliminated entirely and no longer be a threat to innocent children.

Since I joined Rotary, I have deepened lifelong friendships, made new friends who are dear to my heart, shared tears and laughter, received terrific words of wisdom, and lamented the injustices of our world. I have planted flowers, picked up litter, and read to small children desperate for attention and kindness. I have written grants and submitted reports. You see, Rotary has allowed me the opportunity not just to use my time and talents but to multiply them exponentially. By working with fellow Rotarians, I have accomplished more, experienced more, and made a more significant impact than I ever would have by merely volunteering on my own.

I am fortunate enough to be a member of the National Park Rotary at a time when the world needs Rotarians more than ever. The Rotary motto is "Service Above Self," and I would love to see a world where more people live by that motto. Do you feel that the world would be a better place with more people putting service above self? Do you want to be part of the forward-thinking, problem-solving group that is making positive changes in our community and communities worldwide? Then I invite you to attend a Rotary meeting.

ROTARY MEETINGS IN OUR AREA

Hot Springs National Park Rotary

Meets Noon/Wednesday

DoubleTree Hotel

http://www.hsnprotary.org

Hot Springs National Park Rotary

After Hours Satellite Club

2nd and 4th Tuesdays, 6 p.m./Location Varies

http://www.hsnprotary.org

Oaklawn Rotary

Meets Noon/Monday

Hotel Hot Springs