Four Avenues of Service - International Service

print this page

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

Since 2006 the Lawrenceburg Rotary Club along with several other Rotary clubs in Middle and West Tennessee, and North Alabama, have been traveling to Southern Honduras to address health and quality-of- life issues in impoverished communities.  This year’s team included seven members from the Lawrenceburg Rotary Club, eight from the Spring Hill Rotary Club, three from the Dyersburg Rotary Club, three from the Madison, Alabama Rotary Club, and eight from the Choluteca, Honduras Rotary Club.  These men and women donated their skills, time and money to help others who do not have the means to help themselves. 

Funding for these projects came from various Rotary Clubs, private donations and Rotary International Matching Grants.  The results of the team’s efforts will have a long term affect on the lives of over 600 men, women and children and will go a long way in building relationships between the United States and impoverished Third World Countries.

This year the team again addressed literacy, clean water, health, and quality-of-life issues in partnership with several clubs within Districts 6760, 6860, 4250, 7190, 7950, and 7210. 

.  

CLICK HERE FOR A DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THIS PROJECT

 .

It’s so easy to live in ignorance of how millions of people at our doorstep live everyday of their lives.  But to be there and see how much something as common as a water well, or simple electrical wiring in a home, or a few books, pencils and paper can change lives, is unbelievably amazing. Our experience in Honduras has certainly changed our lives forever.

.

Together, under the banner of Rotary, we saw firsthand what it means to

“Make Dreams Real”.

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.

By April, 2009 our club had recognized 224   Paul Harris Fellows with lifetime contributions totaling over $250,000.  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