About service above self award
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“SERVICE ABOVE SELF”
In 2001 the Rotary Club of Sun Prairie imitated the annual recognition of persons in the community who, although not Rotarians, exemplify the Rotary motto: “Service Above Self.” Since the persons being recognized are not Rotarians, explaining something about the organization is worthwhile.
The “Rotary” came about because of five men who formed the first club met weekly to discuss matters pertaining to their business or profession while they lunched at the office of one of their group.The host was selected in rotation.When they decided to incorporate as a club, they chose the name “Rotary” because that explained the selection of the meeting place.There was no such thing as a “service club,” so they explained the selection of the meeting place.There was no such thing as a “service club,” so they stated they were organizing for the purpose of serving others.Shortly after the club formed, the motto “Service Above Self” was adopted.
That small club in downtown Chicago has become an international organization with one and a quarter million members in 160 countries throughout the world belonging to clubs like the Rotary Club of Sun Prairie.As the membership has swelled, the size of its projects has kept pace.The first Rotary project was a public comfort station (toilet) near the railway station in midtown Chicago.In the near future, Rotary expects to be able to announce the successful eradication of Polio worldwide.To accomplish this, it has worked with health organizations of over a hundred countries and raised nearly a half billion dollars.This is just one example of the many things Rotary does.
In addition to the “Service Above Self” motto, Rotary’s measuring sticks for all human relations is a Four-Way Test:
- Is it the TRUTH?
- Is it FAIR to all concerned?
- Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
- Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
Rotary fosters the ideals of service and high ethical standards in personal, business and community life and takes every opportunity to promote these values in the Sun Prairie Community.