Service Above Self

Rotarians launch satellite club Summit campus

John Bates grew up admiring the men in his local Rotary Club. They were respected leaders in his community.

“I grew up in Rotary, my father was a Rotarian and I joined as soon as I could,” John Bates said.

A lifelong love for Rotary International led Bates to spearhead a satellite club at The Summit. The Rotary Club of Forest (District 7570) teamed with The Summit to make an on-campus club happen.

“People like me and some of the members starting up this satellite club have been in Rotary for years and this provides a chance for us to stay active in Rotary and be here in our community,” Bates said.

Rotary Club of Forest President Dale Reed said local Rotarians were excited to work with The Summit.

“If anyone wants to help out and feel like they are involved, we didn’t want to leave them out,” Reed said.

Reed attended the first satellite club meeting to induct founding members and elect officers. The Summit Executive Director Kristi Martin, a member of the Forest Club, said the satellite group will provide more service opportunities.

“Our mission of LifeSpire is to be socially accountable and to give back to our greater community and by being a member of the Rotary Club, we are able to do that,” Martin said.

Al Gorman, another longtime Rotarian,
said he and other residents are excited
about the satellite club.

“We are going to get to relate and
develop with each other and with the
Rotary Club of Forest and do more
things for the community,” Gorman
said.

Bates is now a member of the Rotary
Club of Forest and the satellite club. He worked with Rotarians and The Summit
to design and establish a Peace Pole near campus in Wyndhurst.

He is glad to offer residents a convenient
way to being involved in Rotary. “It’s just a wonderful feeling,” Bates said.

If you are interested in making a difference in the larger community,
consider joining the satellite Rotary Club. Meetings are second Monday at 5:30 p.m. (PDR) and fourth Monday at 3 p.m. (Commons). Please call
434.333.2138 for more information.