Rotary International’s motto of “Service Above Self” fit perfectly into my fire service professional career. In the fire service providing emergency services to the communities we served became a way of life for me. The longer I am involved in Rotary the more I have learned and appreciated the core values as well as the service focus of Rotary.

I have had the opportunity to be involved with four different Rotary clubs in three different states. Although each club has its own personality every club had members who genuinely believed in service to others. Each club was full of members who embraced the core values of Rotary. Those being Fellowship, Integrity, Diversity, Service and Leadership. These core values aligned with my professional career values as I was in leadership positions until my retirement in November 2015.  

When we moved to Boise due to a job promotion, I knew I needed to find a new rotary club that would fit my schedule. I found Boise Sunrise. Sunrise was a club filled with outstanding Rotarians that were committed to improving the lives of those within our communities not only locally but across the globe. Boise Sunrise has a focus on the youth in our communities and many of our efforts go to support this focus. 

The Sunrise club welcomed me with a handshake and warm smiles. I felt like I belonged from day one. I had the opportunity to serve as Club President in 2019 / 2020. I now serve as the District 5400 Trainer. I have meet and gotten to know some of the best people in the Boise area as well as international thru Rotary.  

In the last couple of years, we have developed vision and mission statements to reflect on what we as a club fill is important. Rotary Club of Boise Sunrise Mission Statement: "We build relationships and provide services locally and globally by investing our combined time, talent, and treasure." While the mission statement is short it embodies what we believe are the characteristics that helps make our club not only serve our members but our communities. By combing our members time, talent, or treasure in different mixtures to match the effort we are trying to complete we end up successful.  

There are so many challenges facing the world we live in that we need Rotary and committed Rotarians to help in small and big ways to improve the world in which we live. Rotary International Vision Statement, “Together we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves”, in an invitation for others to join Rotary or seek a Rotary club to partner with to make lasting changes.

If you feel this is something you might want to know more about please email us at boisesunriserotary4@gmail.com or check out our website at https://portal.clubrunner.ca/3864 or email me direct at sgage5201@gmail.com. 

I know that Rotary has enriched my life and it can do the same for you.