The Alternative Press

On Tuesday, October 2, the Rotary Club of Westfield will offer business persons and professionals the opportunity learn about an organization created with them in mind. The Oktoberfest luncheon will be held the Westfield Area Y and include German barbeque food, entertainment and fellowship.

Rotary is an international organization of which the Westfield club is one of 34,335 in 160 countries.  More than 1.2 million Rotary members form a global network of business and professional leaders who volunteer time and talent to serve their individual communities as well as the world community.  Rotary’s motto, “Service Above Self” characterizes the essence of the strong bond among Rotarians, the secret of success in their many meaningful service projects.

Rotary was founded in Chicago in 1905.  It quickly became a national organization and first granted charters in foreign nations in 1911.  Rotary International’s most visible project is “Polio Plus” the objective of which is to eradicate polio worldwide.  Rotary’s partners in this initiative are the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.   

The Westfield club, which to-date has raised nearly $1.4 million for college scholarships awarded to Westfield students who graduate from Westfield High School or any other accredited high schools, was the second to be formed in New Jersey.  Today there are 40 members of the club who convene for lunch each Tuesday.  Elected officers and directors serve one-year terms.  The current president is Michael Miller.         

Rotary’s “classification principle” ensures that club membership reflects the business and professional composition of its community.  According to Miller, “The result of this principle is professional diversity that enlivens the social atmosphere of the club and offers a rich resource of occupational expertise to carry out our service projects.”  Miller goes on to observe, “In addition to ‘flipping’ at the traditional and very popular fund raiser for scholarships and local charities, Pancake Breakfast, held each year in March, our members – doctors, dentists, lawyers, business leaders and managers – are involved in four ‘avenues of service’ based on the objectives of Rotary.” 

Phil Rinaldi, Oktoberfest Chairman, invites men and women who would like to attend Oktoberfest to sample German fare and Rotary fellowship on October 2. Reserve your space by calling the club’s secretary, Nancy Jackson, at 973 564-9730.