I Was a New Member
I Was a New Member by Paul Moore Fifty years ago was our nation’s Bicentennial and my first year as a new member of Rotary. I was 27 years old, married with a four year old son, newly moved from New York to North Carolina, and in my first line management position. My predecessor, 20 […]
Spring: A Season of Recalibration
Spring: A Season of Recalibration by Kirsten Lindsay Spring has sprung! March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb! April showers bring May flowers! Generally, the platitudes associated with spring are relentlessly positive—we are told to expect a season of renewal, rebirth, and effortless growth. The reality of spring in the Midwest […]
Celebrating the Week of the Young Child 2026: Honoring Rotary International and Advancing Oklahoma’s Commitment to Children
Celebrating the Week of the Young Child 2026: Honoring Rotary International and Advancing Oklahoma’s Commitment to Children by A.J. Griffin The Week of the Young Child, April 11-17, 2026, offers a powerful opportunity to celebrate young children, honor the people and organizations dedicated to their well‑being, and renew our collective commitment to building communities where […]
History Repeats Itself
History Repeats Itself by Rachel Hubbard In late 2025, we crossed the Rubicon in the way most Americans get their information. A study from the Pew Research Center shows 54 percent of people now get their news from social media, a platform that is being rapidly taken over by ‘good enough’ content that is cheap […]
Eleemosynary: A Word to Remember
Eleemosynary: A Word to Remember by Drew Edmondson I first heard the word “eleemosynary” in law school, but cannot remember which course. It could have been torts because there was a time when eleemosynary organizations were exempt from being sued for torts (think slip and fall or malpractice). Those times and those exemptions are a […]
Rotary Reflections – Tim Dowd
Rotary Reflections by Tim Dowd One could say that the Rotary motto, Service Above Self, reflects a principle long expressed in faith traditions. In Christianity, it echoes the admonition: “To whom much is given, much will be required.” In Jewish tradition, the concept of Tzedakah embodies a similar idea, the moral and religious obligation for […]
It’s Noisy Out There!
It’s Noisy Out There! Freda Deskin, Ph.D. Noise surrounds us. It comes in many forms—the constant churn of political debate at local, state, and national levels; sensationalized headlines that prey on fear; worries about what might happen; and the everyday chatter that pulls our attention away from what truly matters. For Rotarians committed to service […]
Rotary Values in Action: embracing Neurodiversity at Work
Rotary Values in Action: Embracing Neurodiversity at Work by Deborah Copeland When we speak of Rotary’s values—service, integrity, diversity—we often picture community projects or global initiatives. Yet these values live in the everyday spaces where we work. One opportunity for businesses today is embracing neurodiversity, particularly for individuals with Autism and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). […]
Then (1905) vs Now (2026) Black Swan or Paradigm Shifting
Then (1905) vs Now (2026) Black Swan or Paradigm Shifting by Bart Binning, Ed. D. ” Rotary started with the vision of one man — Paul Harris. The Chicago attorney formed the Rotary Club of Chicago on 23 February 1905, so professionals with diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas and form meaningful, lifelong friendships.” (https://www.rotary.org/en/about-rotary/history) This article (or outline) examines the similarities in the US […]
Is It Time for a 5-Way Test?
Is It Time for a 5‑Way Test? by Valerie Aubert For years, the Port Isabel Rotary Club has recited the traditional 4‑Way Test and then added a fifth question: “Is it or will it be fun?” The Rotary Club of Green Cove Springs has embraced the same addition. But it raises an interesting question: If […]
Reflections: Building Relationships in a Fast-Paced Environment
Reflections: Building Relationships in a Fast-Paced Environment by Melissa Richey There’s a particular kind of noise to a fast-paced environment: calendars that shift mid-meeting, messages arriving faster than we can answer, the pressure of “what’s next?” Many of us live there…at work, in volunteer roles, and in Rotary. Speed isn’t the enemy; Oklahoma City is […]
Service Above Self
“SERVICE ABOVE SELF” By Ron Stakem “Service Above Self” is the motivating motto and the shared common duty of all Rotarians in the world. It is a bold challenge, a big “ask.” That is especially true now when so many people, home and abroad, face a myriad of life’s pressing uncertainties. Our renewed effort of […]