What is Rotary All About?

So, what is Rotary all about? Many people who are not involved in Rotary may ponder that very question! 

According to what was written on the Novi Rotary's website, "Rotarians are business and professional leaders who take an active role in their communities while greatly enriching their personal and professional lives" and they put "service above self."

Sounds interesting, but what does it really mean? What do Rotarians do?

Well, just this last month, the Novi Rotary Club found out that it was one of three Rotary Clubs that has been awarded a Rotary International Global Grant to provide clean water to selected communities in Ecuador.  

Most people do not know that Rotary is one of the largest and most influential international humanitarian service organizations in the world. We work to encourage and foster the advancement of international understanding, goodwill and peace through our fellowship and service. As volunteers, Rotary members serve the needs of their communities worldwide.   

For example, Gary Sobotta, a Novi Rotarian, will lead a team of certified technicians to conduct a workshop on the construction of bio-sand water filters this September. The workshop will be conducted in Cuenca, Ecuador and will be attended by designated manufacturers and community health workers from the participating rotary clubs in Ecuador. This workshop will offer instruction and hands-on experience for participants in the construction of the filter, including molding and curing of the concrete housings, selection and installation of graded sand media, and manufacturing of diffuser basins and lids. Participants will gain a clear understanding of the rationale behind the filter design, learn how to install and commission it, and instruct householders on its correct usage.

Bio-sand filters are affordable and require little maintenance. They remove 98.5 percent of bacteria, 95 percent of turbidity, and 90-95 percent of iron in controlled laboratory settings. The populations in the communities to be served are economically poor and without any access to clean and safe water. Water is sometimes distributed through antiquated systems, mostly contaminated by ground waters. Other common water sources are polluted streams and rivers and shallow wells dug in areas where sanitation is nonexistent. Water can be purchased at costs that exceed the economic possibilities of the families.

The selected manufacturers and community health workers will manufacture, maintain and monitor bio-sand water filters in each selected province, transferring their newly acquired knowledge to village residents using the water filters. This project will provide a total of 654 bio-sand filters to be installed in 634 households and 20 schools over a period of 18-24 months!

Pretty neat, huh?  And this is just ONE of the things that the Novi Rotary supports!  There is so much more that we strive to support and serve—and, we manage to have fun while doing it!

Be sure to stay tuned to the Novi Rotary's blog via Novi Patch! We promise to keep you updated on the latest Rotary news! And, hey, who knows? Maybe we will see you at one of our next Rotary meetings, which are held at noon at the on 10 Mile Road. Check out our website for details regarding this week's meeting at www.novirotary.org!