Kathy Tuckey is a member and past president of Augusta West Rotary Club, and is Rotary District 6920 assistant governor and district chairwoman of the Coins for Alzheimer’s Research Trust.)  Below is a column which she wrote for the Augusta Chronicle for today, which I think is appropriate to consider at this time.

Each year the president of Rotary International chooses a theme for the year. President Gary Huang has chosen “Light Up Rotary.”

As we promote Rotary Awareness Month during January, what a great time to tell the Rotary story – the past, the present and the future – and to Light Up Rotary in our community.

This February will mark 110 years since the first Rotary meeting. Paul P. Harris, an attorney, wanted to create a professional group with the same friendly spirit he felt in the small towns in his youth. On Feb. 23, 1905, Harris, along with Gustavus Loehr, Silvestre Schiele and Hiram Shorey, gathered at Loehr’s office in Room 711 of the Unity Building in downtown Chicago. This was the first Rotary Club meeting.

They decided to call the new club “Rotary” after the practice of rotating meeting locations.

From that one historic meeting, Rotary has grown to a present worldwide organization of more than 34,000 Rotary clubs. From those four visionary members, there are now over 1.2 million Rotarians worldwide.

The Central Savannah River Area is home to several Rotary clubs. I am proud to be a member of one.

THE OBJECT OF Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, encourage and foster:

First: the development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service;

Second: high ethical standards in business and professions; the recognition of worthiness of all useful occupations; and the dignifying of each Rotarian’s occupation as an opportunity to serve society;

Third: the application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian’s personal, business and community life;

Fourth: the advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.

Rotary’s “Four-Way-Test” is a nonpartisan and nonsectarian ethical guide for Rotarians to use for their personal and professional relationships. The test has been translated into more than 100 languages, and it is recited at club meetings: “Of the things we think, say or do: Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?”

A recent Augusta Chronicle editorial recognizing the Augusta Rotary Club’s 100th Anniversary stated: “Imagine how much better our community, our country and our planet would be if everyone tried to abide by the four-way test.”

Rotarians channel a commitment to service at home and abroad through five “Avenues of Service”:

• Club service focuses on making clubs strong.

• Vocational service calls on every Rotarian to work with integrity and contribute their expertise to the problems and needs of society.

• Community service encourages every Rotarian to find ways to improve the quality of life for people in their communities and to serve the public interest.

• International service exemplifies global reach in promoting peace and understanding.

• Youth service recognizes the importance of empowering youth and young leadership development programs such as Rotaract, Interact, Rotary Youth Leadership Awards and Rotary Youth Exchange.

ROTARY CLUBS ARE the heart of Rotary. Each has weekly meetings where members catch up with friends, network, hear what’s happening in our community and share plans and exchange ideas on how we can better serve our communities and mankind.

I have seen how Rotarians have changed the lives of others, and how Rotary has transformed me both personally and professionally. Traveling and entering a new town or city, I see the Rotary Wheel logo on welcome signs and know I will find fellow Rotarians. I know they are changing the lives of others in their community and in the world. I also know that I will not be a stranger in their town or city, and that I will be welcomed as a fellow Rotarian.

During February, visit a Rotary Club. See what grew from that first meeting in Chicago so long ago. Learn about the varied community and international projects that clubs are sponsoring and supporting, and the fellowship among Rotarians. Rotary clubs’ meeting locations and times can be found by going to rotary.org. Click on the “Club Finder” button at the top.