R.I.'s Cliff Dochterman and John Morrison with the Wawa club's Polio Plus wagon, Wawa conference 1998.
What is your Rotary A-ha moment?
In January 2000, 54 Rotarians and partners, Canadian and American, flew to India to attend a district conference in the state of Gujarat, to be followed by splitting into several groups to support the Polio Immunization program taking place in various parts of that state. There were eight of us from Wawa. The group was led by Dave Groner and his wife Barb, Dave being a classmate of mine from Kalamazoo. We attended many Rotary meetings as we were moved from town to town by car, train and bus, being billeted with Rotarians, visiting projects along the way, all prior to the actual immunization day. After many speeches at one meeting where we were treated like royalty, one local Rotarian stood up and thanked us for coming. I shall always remember his words….
“I joined Rotary three years ago. I am a doctor so my club said, ‘Oh good, you can chair our Polio Immunization program.’ I was pleased to step in. That was three years ago. We have immunization clinics twice a year. There are 5 million people in our city and every child must be identified. Every doorway marked [when following up the next day], polio drops ordered, kept cold, volunteers set up at numerous locations, etc. etc. This takes time. We do it twice a year. When we are done, it is time to start planning the next one. I am TIRED. I want to QUIT. But when I see and talk to you from North America who have volunteered to come to India to show your support in order to rid our country of polio, I will NOT QUIT. I will see this through.”
That was a special moment that, for me, justified our being there.
India was declared Polio-free some years ago. We like to think we made a difference!
What are you most proud of in your Rotary Career?
As District Governor in 1997-98, I met a great number of Rotarians who were obvious leaders. Prior to my year, Rotary International had suggested that we develop a leadership plan for the district, incorporating Rotarians who showed leadership abilities into an Assistant Governor role, to assist District Governors in their task of informing and overseeing clubs in various areas of the district. I chose to incorporate this idea during my year with what I consider to be a great success. The result of this effort means that we now have a pool of trained Rotary leaders who carry our goals and messages back to the clubs. I’m proud to say that several of my original Assistant Governors followed in my footsteps as District Governors.
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What is your Favorite TRF moment that you took part in or heard about?
When considering what might be my favourite TRF moment, my Polio Immunization experience in India during January 2000 is high on my list. Having a mother in a poor area of Gujarat State bring her baby directly to me because I had come from afar, insisting that only I should administer the two drops was a very special moment that still moves me when I think of it. Also, every time I send money to TRF, knowing it will be spent on schools, fresh water, disaster relief, etc., I feel that my small role is important, especially when my dollars are matched by Bill Gates and others to double, triple, or increase even more.
Why did you join Rotary, and why are you still a Rotarian? How long have you been a Rotarian?
When someone wants to know why I joined Rotary, the simple answer is “because I was asked.” That was 38 years ago. It turned out to be the greatest gift I have been given (aside from my wife and children). And I am still a Rotarian because it makes me feel good when I can work with like-minded people to make our world a better one to live in. It makes me feel good, useful, and allows me to contribute.
How can clubs encourage people to join the best service club in the world?
I sincerely believe that clubs can encourage people to join what we consider to be the best service club in the world by continuing to do what we do best, and publicizing what we do. Community and world service appeals, having fun while doing fundraisers appeals, networking with other clubs are useful, sharing ideas that work for one club and might (or might not) work for another, etc. In our current pandemic world, it is harder to get together without breaking some law. So we have found ways to hold meetings online with Zoom and other means. However, not everyone is able to adapt to that, so keeping in touch by sending minutes of the Directors meetings helps, along with other methods concocted by imaginative members of the club executive. Having said that, my age, loss of hearing, and agility make it difficult to participate as I once did. I have asked to be an Honorary Member of the Rotary Club of Wawa which decreases the dues that our club has to pay to Rotary International, and allows me to direct my dues toward The Rotary Foundation giving the credit to our local club and helping in my small way.