Four Avenues of Service - International Service

International  Service has become a major emphasis for Lawrenceburg Rotary.  Our club supports The Rotary Foundation on a yearly basis and participates in World Community Service, Group Study Exchange, and Youth Exchange programs.

World Community Service--Honduras Project

In 2006, Lawrenceburg Rotary became a major partner with Franklin Noon Rotary and other clubs on the District 6760 WCS project in Choluteca, Honduras.   Local Rotarians travelled to Honduras to assist with electrical and water service  in an area village.  The group brought back life changing memories and experiences that instilled a sense of enthusiasm throughout our club.

In addition to the water and electrical projects, the Lawrenceburg club initiated two mini projects: youth literacy and youth recreation programs. "The thing that I'm most proud of," says Polly Marsh, Lawrenceburg Rotary Club Treasurer, "is our child's literacy program. This year we carried down children's books in both Spanish and English along with school supplies and art supplies. We also aided the local teachers with reading sessions and art classes to broaden the minds of the children and expand their understanding of the world beyond their remote one-room, dirt floor school rooms," says Polly.

The Lawrenceburg Club took the lead from planning to execution on a project to bring electricity to the remote mountain village of San Juan Cito. It will take two years to complete all planned projects for this site. This year the project teams installed over 3000 linear feet of high voltage overhead power and basic electrical service in approximately 33 homes. Total club and individual contributions along with a District Simplified Grant made this project an outstanding success and will leave a mark on this community forever. 

 According to WCS chairman  James Johnston, "We have a team of  19 individuals who went down with us; one from Murfreesboro; one from the Mt. Pleasant Rotary Club; five from the Madison, Alabama Rotary Club; and 12 from our Lawrenceburg Club. All-together our club and partners have raised over $38,000 in monies and donated materials to support this project. The enthusiasm and generous outpouring of support has

been overwhelming and we can’t begin to thank everyone involved”.

Lawrenceburg Rotary is also providing support for the Choluteca Rotary Club’s on-going commitment to establish little league teams for the city’s youth. Choluteca has a total population of just over 140,000 inhabitants, but there is little in the way of youth activities for the city’s growing number of young adults. The Choluteca Rotary Club is committed to providing organized activities for young men and women to involve themselves as opposed to joining random street gangs.

Click to view 2007 Photo Album.

The Rotary Foundation

Lawrenceburg Rotarians have supported The Rotary Foundation   for over thirty years.  The club encourages individual contributions and promotes the foundation during one or more annual programs that describe the organization's purpose, activities and successes.  Lawrenceburg Rotary matches individual contributions on a dollar for dollar basis, and makes direct foundation gifts to support matching grant applications.

At the end of 2007, our club had recognized 212   Paul Harris Fellows with lifetime contributions totaling over $240,000.  Lawrenceburg Rotary became the third club in District 6760 to be certified as a 100% Paul Harris Fellow Club.  Several of our members  have contributed beyond the Paul Harris Fellow level to become Multiple Paul Harris Fellows and Major Donors.  We are pleased to recognize the following active Rotarians who have achieved this status.

Paul Harris Fellows recognized by our club are posted on a plaque located in Beasley Hall, and a complete list of active Rotarians who are Paul Harris Fellows may be viewed by  clicking here .

Group Study Exchange
Lawrenceburg has been active in Group Study Exchange since the early 1980's.  GSE team members are young professionals who are nominated by local Rotary Clubs and selected by a district committee. Three active Lawrenceburg Rotarians got their first real exposure to Rotary as members of Group Study Exchange Teams.  We are proud to recognize these individuals:

Randy Brewer  ----   Japan
Bob Augustin   ----   Japan
Jack Grinnell  -- Caribbean
 
GSE Teams have visited Lawrenceburg from throughout the world.

  Countries include:

In 2007, PDG James Johnston led a Group Study Exchange Team to the Provence area of France.  Our club also sponsored Charles Wayne Wright, an auditor with the Tennessee Department of Revenue as one of the Team Members.  Jim Johnston gave an excellent presentation on the team's visit.

In addition to making formal presentations, GSE Team members spend time with host families during their visit.  Local Rotarians report that hosting these outstanding young professionals is a very rewarding experience.  Life long friendships have resulted from Group Study Exchange visits.

Four Avenues of Service at Lawrenceburg Rotary