All we need is a little “PUSH” according to District Governor Tom Schmidt. Schmidt offered his perspective on Rotary and our place within it as he addressed the club in his role for the this year, following past District Governor Al Bonney, who introduced him. He was warmly welcomed by the club and his many friends within the club.
PUSH was his mantra. As a minister by trade, he said. “PUSH means ‘Pray Until Something Happens.’” Here in his stump speech to Rotary Clubs across the district he extended his metaphor and the acronym to greater meaning for Rotarians:
- PLAN Until Something Happens
- PROMOTE Until Something Happens
- PERSIST Until Something Happens
- PRAISE Until Something Happens
Through stories and anecdotes of the many ways Rotarians impact their communities and through those efforts, ultimately the world. It was a simple, yet profound message. Schmidt exemplified the Rotarian who brings their gift to world, this year’s theme for Rotary. He delivered it with the humble grace you’d expect of someone who has made ministry their life’s work.
As Tom and his wife Denise are foster parents to some forty children over the years, Schmidt also wove in the importance of education and caring, with special emphasis on our youth exchange program, which is still seeking host parent homes throughout the year, encouraging participation.
It is also evident that the Rev. Schmidt has a predilection for acronyms as he left us with this:
- RELEVANT in our communities
- OBSERVANT of the needs of the community
- TOLERANCE of others
- AVAILABLE to serve
- RESPONSIBILTY to invest in others
- INSPIRATION to encourage
- ASPIRING to help others
- NATURALLY inclined to integrity
It appeared from the warm response to his message that Schmidt will inspire his charges throughout the year.
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Rotary Club of Traverse City