www.whyiam.org …a service of

Rotary Global History

"We live in the present, we dream of the future,

 but we learn from the past."

Discuss this feature at www.rghfforum.org

William H. Huntley
JUNE 10, 2007
WWW.WHYIAM.ORG

* Please Note.

This “Why I Am a Rotarian …” message was received prior to Bill Huntley’s death in February 2006.

You may not know that Bill Huntley’s devotion to RIBI and his obvious personal commitment to Rotary at the international level led him to participate in mediation discussions in Nashville, Tenn., USA, between Rotarians from Argentina and Great Britain shortly after the armed conflict in the Falkland Islands.

As a result of that arbitration, 15 Group Study Exchanges were approved for the following year, giving Rotarians and others in the two countries (Argentina and Great Britain) opportunities for interaction, one on one, to expand the awareness between peoples of both areas who wanted peace and better understanding.

That Falkland War arbitration truly epitomized Bill’s belief in Rotary and world peace.

His many friends worldwide are NOW RAISING AND CONTRIBUTING funds for a Rotary World Peace Fellowship to be endowed in the Huntley’s name.

Bill Huntley wrote:

“My first acquaintance with Rotary was in Hertford, England, where I saw the good influence a group of dedicated men was having on the local community. At that time I was second in command of a school for teen-aged delinquent boys. The boys helped in many of the Rotary club's community programs. This benefited the boys and the programs.

It was heartwarming to see men who were leaders in the community working together for the good of the less fortunate.

Later the Vocational Service Committee of a neighboring club asked me to find a boy who would benefit from a two-week adventure expedition.

The chosen boy addressed the club on his experiences. One member was so impressed with the young man that he offered him a job. The end of the story came some years after when the boy was made a partner in the company. Here, I realized, it was "Service Above Self" being put into practice by the Rotarians for the good of all.

When the opportunity came for me to join Rotary, I was delighted to find that my club was every bit as active in service as the ones I had observed. Each member of that small club played his part in helping with all of the varied programs.

I have never been disillusioned by Rotarians, for they are always ready to help and to give service in the most wonderful ways. As a Trustee of the Rotary Foundation, I asked each district in Great Britain to give $500.00 to obtain a special grant to assist a Rotary Village Corps in Sri Lanka. One district on its own immediately gave the full amount.

A letter from Sri Lanka illustrates the effect of that action. The last sentence said, "God bless you. You don't know what you have done."

That is why I am a Rotarian; that is what keeps me a Rotarian. To associate with a group of men and women who are instantly ready to help is a blessing and a privilege. As a Rotarian I am part of a movement, which still has to realize its true potential. Our strength is in our desire to serve.

Who knows what we can achieve? We don't know what we can do!”

Sincerely, Bill
William H. Huntley
President, Rotary International, 1994-95.
Member of the Rotary Club of Alford & Mablethorpe, England.
Theme: "Be a Friend."

www.whyiam.org …a service of

Rotary Global History

"We live in the present, we dream of the future,

 but we learn from the past."

Discuss this feature at www.rghfforum.org

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