Message from President Doug Gillett –

“I’m just one person—what can I do?”

In divided, challenging times such as these, when we see so many people struggling, trying to make a difference on your own can seem daunting. But a group of people, even a small one, can make a meaningful difference. Rotary International is proof of that.

And Macon North Rotary is making that difference. Through our club’s charitable giving, we support the global fight against polio, provide educational opportunities for deserving youth, and fund a wide variety of local nonprofits. Through our hands-on service projects, we beautify our community, help provide food for schoolchildren in need, uplift kids battling life-threatening illnesses, and more.

We can’t solve all of society’s problems in one fell swoop. But we can serve as a resource for support, hard work, and leadership that people throughout Macon can count on.

And there is one societal problem that Rotary is solving—for me personally, and for many others in Rotary clubs around the world: the problem of isolation. Phone obsession, political divisions, and COVID have caused us to close ourselves off from one another, but the camaraderie amongst Rotary members is real and extends far beyond weekly meetings. As a non-Macon native, I joined Rotary hoping to get to know my new city better and meet people, and in the process I’ve made some of the closest friends I’ve ever had.

If you’re a Rotary member, thank you for your willingness to serve a cause greater than yourself. And if you’re not, I invite you to join us for a service project or meeting to learn just how much Rotarians can accomplish. As a Rotarian, you never have to go it alone—and you never have to wonder whether making a positive difference is still possible.

With gratitude,

Doug Gillett