January 2006

Why I Am a Rotarian. The reasons change with passing time. In 1950, it was because two businessmen I respected had invited me to join, and the leading business and professional men in town elected me to membership in the Rotary Club of California, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. For several years, it was the warm fellowship in the club, the excellent singing, and a series of community service projects, which attracted me. In 1955, at the 50th Anniversary Convention in Chicago, I discovered for the first time the wonderment of the internationality of Rotary. Perhaps that is when I truly became ¡§a Rotarian.¡¨

With passing years, new doors opened up... serving as a District Governor, then a Director of R.I., serving twice as Chairman of the Council on Legislation, and serving as Aides to two Presidents. And each time, we made new friends and Rotary took on a deeper meaning as we watched Rotarians perform remarkable acts of "Service Above Self."

In 1987, the Rotarians of the world made me their worldwide President. Their response, not just in the magnificent PolioPlus campaign, but in extension and membership development, in infusing new life into Vocational Service and Rotaract, and finally in surmounting the obstacle of gender in our membership, proved most fulfilling. The chance to play a leadership role was indeed exciting.

Why do I continue a loyal, working Rotarian after 55 years? Rotary's steady growth in numbers and in service, despite wars and economic reversals, confirmed my judgment that there was a universal, timeless appeal to the combination of friendliness and commitment to service, which had attracted, then held me as a Rotarian. And the sense of usefulness is still there, not only in the projects of my club, but in the world arena, where challenges abound, where Rotarians have growing roles to play, and where the future of mankind is yet to be determined.

Charles C. Keller (Law-Corporate Practice)
President, Rotary International, 1987-88
Rotary Club of California, Pennsylvania, USA