This is Rotary Week 2014

This is Rotary Week 2014 in Effingham County.

The week is held to highlight the work in the county by the Effingham Noon and Runrise Rotary Clubs. 

(EFFINGHAM COUNTY BOARD CHAIRMAN JIM NIEMANN SIGNS A PROCLAMATION DESIGNATING THE WEEK AS "ROTARY WEEK" IN EFFINGHAM COUNTY.  STANDING (left) IS NOON ROTARY CLUB PRESIDENT KERRY HIRTZEL AND (right) SUNRISE CLUB SECRETARY MATT CEKANDER)

Rotary is an international people-helping organization.  The Objects of Rotary, in its mission statement are to "encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster:

1) The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service;

2) High ethical standards in business and professions; the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations; and the dignifying by each Rotarian of his/her occupation as an opportunity to serve society;

3) The application of the ideal of service by every Rotarian to his/her personal, business and community life;

4) The advancement of international understanding, good will, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional men and women united in the ideal of service."

Rotary is governed by The Four Way Test of all the things Rotarians think, say or do:

First--Is it the TRUTH?

Second--Is it FAIR to all concerned?

Third--Will it build GOOD WILL and better FRIENDSHIPS?

Fourth--Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

(EFFINGHAM MAYOR MERV GILLENWATER SIGNS A PROCLAMATION DESIGNATING THIS WEEK AS "ROTARY WEEK" IN THE CITY OF EFFINGHAM.  STANDING (left) IS ROTARY SUNRISE CLUB SECRETARY MATT CEKANDER AND (right) ROTARY NOON CLUB PRESIDENT KERRY HIRTZEL)

Various activities are scheduled daily to mark Rotary Week.  Here's the schedule:

Monday--Official Proclamation of Rotary Week by Effingham Mayor Merv Gillenwater and Effingham County Board Chairman Jim Niemann

Tuesday--Groundbreaking ceremony for a pavilion to be constructed at Community Park under a partnership between Effingham Noon and Sunrise Rotary and the Effingham Park District

Wednesday--Assistance by Rotary with the Effingham Meals on Wheels Program, something Rotarians help with on a weekly basis

Thursday--the annual SAA Banquet.  The Society for Academic Achievement salutes the best and brightest students at Effingham and St. Anthony High Schools.  The banquet will be held at 6:30pm at St. Anthony High School in the Multi-Purpose Room

Friday--Recognition of Rotary's Dictionary program, where dictionaries are presented to third grade students at every school in Effingham County.  By that method, all students in school in the county are eventually owners of a dictionary

Saturday--the Annual Rotary Pancake and Sausage Breakfast.  The breakfast will be held from 7-10am at Effingham High School in the Hearts Rock Cafe.  Proceeds will benefit various Rotary people-helping activities