What is Rotary and who are Ambassadorial Scholars?

The Rotary motto is, "Service Above Self"



For those of you unfamiliar with Rotary, let me share with you what it is and why the club sends people like me to another country for a year. First off, Rotary is an international organization made up of business and professional leaders who provide humanitarian services, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace around the world. Rotary clubs meet weekly to discuss various issues affecting the world today and develop ways to help (issues may include children at risk, poverty and hunger, violence, illiteracy, environment, health, disaster relief etc). Approximately 1.2 million Rotarian's belong to more than 32,000 clubs in more than 200 countries around the world.

Every year Rotary International chooses students from around the world for the Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship. While abroad we have the opportunity to serve in our host club, give speeches about our home culture, and also, study at a University of our choosing. The purpose of the scholarship is to promote international understanding and friendly relations among people of different countries and to connect Rotary clubs around the world together.

Last night I went to my first Rotary meeting at my host club, the Albany Creek Rotary club. I was picked up at the train station by my host counselor, Trevor Hudson (see below). The club is made up of 32 Rotarian's and the speaker was a lady from the Salvation Army. She spoke about how the Salvation Army helps to find family members who have gone missing.  I had a great time and will get to take part in a service project this weekend. The project will be a book sale to help raise money for the many flood victims effected in Queensland.



This is my host counselor, Trevor Hudson. He is awesome.



Next post in two or three days. Stay tuned.