It’s difficult sometimes to write a bulletin article without over-using the word opportunity. However, it is difficult to find another word that communicates as clearly what is available and happening currently in our club. As I fumble in the process, I resort to what I told my students: “Look it up” and in dictionary.com found the following definition:
“Opportunity: noun
- An appropriate or favorable time or occasion
- A situation or condition favorable for attainment of a goal.
- A good position, chance, or prospect, as for advancement or success.”
Multiple situations have arisen that are favorable to continue our goals of service to our community. Among those are:
- Farmers Market: last fall the Board of Directors approved a proposed partner agreement to aid in the administration, management and expansion of the market. The potential partner proved undesirable, and after a continued search, Cindy Johnson of McKinney has come to our attention. Johnson has an excellent reputation in McKinney for two Farmers Markets she managed and has the added benefit of being married to a Rotarian. At this week’s Board meeting, the proposed agreement will be presented for approval with the hope that the collaboration can begin in March.
- Our sponsored Interact Club has been selected as one of 12 clubs from District 5810 to participate in the Rotary International Model UN. Three delegates will be selected from the club plus two alternates. They will travel to Chicago in early June with two adult sponsors to join students from across the country in this three-day event as part of the Peace Conference. Our Club will be responsible for $3,500 travel expenses for the teens and adults; we will work with Interact in this process. I’m excited about the opportunity to associate more closely with these teens in this project.
- Fundraising: a variety of possible options have been under consideration with a benefit basketball game and a magic show as the preferred choices. We will be announcing further details immediately and look forward to a full club participation in the project.
- Community service: FastPacs Frisco presented their work to the club last fall, and we are scheduled for a packing work day on March 20. We are also working with Carter Blood Center on a blood drive in the next few weeks.
- International Service: the Nicaragua team will include two club members and two Interact students, traveling in mid-March to the areas in which we have been working on water projects. While there they will work in some local schools and we can assist with funds to purchase the required school uniforms and books.
One of the synonyms for opportunity is juncture, which I picture like a crossroads. I look forward to the continued progress in the directions of service above self.