Rotary Club International’s motto is “Service above self.”

For more than 100 years, members of Rotary Club of Columbus have lived by this motto by volunteering and fundraising in their community, the state and around the world.

Some efforts have been local but have far-reaching impact, such as providing food to local warming centers or during tornado relief efforts and improving the leadership skills of Lowndes County youths.

Other efforts are far-reaching with state or world impact, such as helping with the eradication of polio worldwide or giving money to Delta Medical Center, in Greenville, or The University of Mississippi Medical Center, in Jackson.

Founded on April 1, 1921, the organization planned to host a centennial gala last year, but had to postpone at least twice due to the pandemic, said President Carey Edwards. The third time was the charm, as the organization’s members and guests celebrated its 100th Centennial Gala on Friday at The Depot.

During the program, Rotarians learned about two of the organization’s programs, Bright from the Start and the Lowndes Young Leader program. They were also challenged to look toward a productive future.

Bright from the Start
In celebration of the organization’s 100th anniversary, Rotary Club of Columbus approved a $40,000 grant to launch Bright from the Start. The partnership supports Lowndes County families with children from birth to the age of 5 and the Early Childhood Development program at Mississippi University for Women.

Melinda Lowe, director of outreach and innovation, coordination of education at the W’s School of Education, runs the program.

The program plans to focus on three major projects: a resource room, a C.H.E.E.R. conference and a Welcome Baby packet program.

The Bright from the Start Resource Lending Library contains age-appropriate toys and learning tools that can be loaned to people in the W’s School of Education or preschool directors, Lowe said.

Because 92 percent of a person’s brain is developed by the time they are age 5, the tools also include items that help children learn vocational skills and social and emotional learning so they can handle their feelings.

The Celebrating and Highlighting Early Education Respect — C.H.E.E.R. — conference is an event tentatively being planned for late March, early April, Lowe said.

“Preschool teachers don’t make a lot of money,” she said. “They work long hours and many live at the poverty level. … These people are just not loved on.
“The conference will help show the community’s appreciation to these educators.”

The conference will include training and gifts, such as a free meal, gift cards, etc.

Welcome Baby packets will be given to families with newborns born at area hospitals. The packets will contain information on local resources and other things to nurture a newborn’s brain development.

Lowndes Young Leaders
Rachel Harris, a Columbus native who is enrolled in the W’s culinary arts program, spoke on the impact of the Lowndes Young Leaders program. She also received the Bill Walker Leadership Award.

The 10-month program helps the teens build leadership skills and learn different life skills.

“I was such a nervous and shy kid, who knew she had potential but didn’t know how to use it,” she said.

Through the program, Harris found her goal of becoming a professional chef and her love of baking.

“It is one of the best things that ever happened to me,” she said of the Young Leaders program. “It allowed me to make connections with not only other students in the area, but also several adults. Each of them encouraged each of us to attain our greatest potential. And for that, I will forever be grateful.”

Challenge for the future
Floyd Lancia, 2019-2021 Rotary International Director of Zones 30-31, which includes Columbus, talked about how Rotary had survived wars, diseases and other things to become a worldwide organization.

He noted that the pandemic will give the organization a new direction and focus. He encouraged the Rotarians to be creative when choosing projects.
“Rotary will continue to evolve in its efforts to put service above self,” said Lancia, from Fort Wayne, Indiana.

He noted that as people look back at Rotary, they’ll notice the organization’s impact through the years.

“Each act of service, when multiplied by all the Rotary members over all these years, add up,” Lancia said. “When you add them to the other acts done by other clubs, you realize the organization’s impact.”

Also during the gala, Ed Thurmond, district governor from 2020-22, presented the club with a banner for having all of its members become Paul Harris Fellows. Those who achieve the fellowship designation have donated at least $1,000 to the Rotary Foundation, the charity arm of Rotary Club International.

Only 20 percent of Rotary Club earn the designation every year, Thurmond said. There are over 46,000 clubs worldwide.

For the gala, Rotarians raised funds to help better the community. They raised $36,000, he announced during the gala.

“I’m going to say to the first 100 years at the Columbus Rotary Club, a job well done,” he said at the gala’s close. “Tonight, we kick off the start of a new century and rededicate ourselves to service above self.”

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