By Kathleen RonaldSouthwest Bureau Chief
(California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona)
It is such an honor to be able to report on The Rotarians of the Natomas Chapter, whose website is at http://www.natomasrotary.org/. I remember from when I was a young girl, all the various events that my parents, who were Rotarians themselves, supported in our community.
I adore Rotary and what they stand for. I spoke today with Brad Asbury, who serves as not only the Membership Chair, but also the Vocational Chair and the Programs Chair, about his beloved Natomas Chapter. I meet Brad a few months back at the EntrePalooza event in Sacramento.
Shortly after that event, Brad asked me to come back and be a speaker for his organization this past week. It was an honor to be there, and I dedicated my talk to my father, Bob Ronald, who acted in several roles for many years in our hometown of Aberdeen, Washington.
Click on: http://www.clubrunner.ca/Cprg/Home/homeG.asp?cid=698 .This organization holds a special place in my heart.
Brad was telling me that Rotary started in February 1905! You can learn more about Rotary by visiting their website, located at http://www.rotary.org/ .
Rotary began originally as a networking club, and then transitioned into a group that focused on community service. They have 1.2 million members worldwide with 32,000 clubs in over 200 countries around the world. Amazing!
They also have a Foundation component to their organization, which almost single-handedly stamped out Polio... click on http://www.rotary.org/en/EndPolio/Pages/ridefault.aspx . Wow! Each member is requested to donate $200.00 a year so that the Foundation can continue its work in the world.
Brad and I were talking about the organic networking that naturally occurs as you spend time with the members both at the weekly meeting, and while working on community service projects. He feels that networking is more effective when it is the secondary purpose. When your focus and intent is to form friendly and trusting relationships with the people who volunteer beside you, the business relationship aspect becomes a natural extension that develops freely. I agree!
I observed, from visiting other chapters, that the average age for Rotary Club members is around 60 years old. Brad agreed that this was the case for most chapters, but pointed out that the Natomas Chapter is an exception. I was thrilled during my visit to see the range of ages that attended this Chapter.
During our chat, Brad explained that each chapter has a personality of its own, and that the Natomas Chapter is considered a “trend setter,” and really has its own unique and creative vibe. I experienced this firsthand. Their chapter started in 1997 and has been busy adding value to the community they love ever since. Gina Stafford, their current president, is a dynamo and has a large vision for this Chapter. All the board members work very closely together to bring that vision to their community. When I asked why Brad joined, he replied that he wanted to give back to the community that he had lived in for over 20 years. This is a perfect example of the selfless attitudes of servitude carried by Rotarians.
Brad and I were talking about the organic networking that naturally occurs as you spend time with the members both at the weekly meeting, and while working on community service projects. He feels that networking is more effective when it is the secondary purpose. When your focus and intent is to form friendly and trusting relationships with the people who volunteer beside you, the business relationship aspect becomes a natural extension that develops freely. I agree!
I observed, from visiting other chapters, that the average age for Rotary Club members is around 60 years old. Brad agreed that this was the case for most chapters, but pointed out that the Natomas Chapter is an exception. I was thrilled during my visit to see the range of ages that attended this Chapter.During our chat, Brad explained that each chapter has a personality of its own, and that the Natomas Chapter is considered a “trend setter,” and really has its own unique and creative vibe. I experienced this firsthand. Their chapter started in 1997 and has been busy adding value to the community they love ever since. Gina Stafford, their current president, is a dynamo and has a large vision for this Chapter. All the board members work very closely together to bring that vision to their community. When I asked why Brad joined, he replied that he wanted to give back to the community that he had lived in for over 20 years. This is a perfect example of the selfless attitudes of servitude carried by Rotarians.
There are many facets to the Rotary experience. They have several arms of the organization beyond the weekly meetings, including a youth group at the local high school called Interact. You can learn more about Interact by clicking on: http://www.rotary.org/en/StudentsAndYouth/YouthPrograms/Interact/Pages/ridefault.aspx The Interact Program is intended to give kids the ability and opportunity to develop their civic-minded skills.
I also had the opportunity to speak for several of the Inner Wheel Chapters that are specifically meant for the wives of the Rotarian chapters (http://www.innerwheel.com/).
This group has much to offer and I pray that you might be moved to check it out as a networking option that has the “community factor,” which is a rarity in this day and age, as our youth are starved for opportunities and motivation to serve. Our communities are blessed to have this organization in 200 countries and I encourage you to consider e,ploying them as one of your principal networking options.
If you are interested in finding out exactly how you can get involved at the Natomas Chapter of Rotary, you can reach Brad Asbury, at either basburycsa@yahoo.com, or rotaryclubofnatomis@yahoo.com.
This group has much to offer and I pray that you might be moved to check it out as a networking option that has the “community factor,” which is a rarity in this day and age, as our youth are starved for opportunities and motivation to serve. Our communities are blessed to have this organization in 200 countries and I encourage you to consider e,ploying them as one of your principal networking options.
If you are interested in finding out exactly how you can get involved at the Natomas Chapter of Rotary, you can reach Brad Asbury, at either basburycsa@yahoo.com, or rotaryclubofnatomis@yahoo.com.
Brad Asbury can also be reached by phone at 916-607-3104.
All the best,
Kathleen Ronald
The Queen of Business Connecting
President of Speaktacular
Direct Telephone: 310.633.0411
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