When I first joined Rotary, I couldn’t understand why I would contribute funds outside of my community (Nampa). The schools have a significant reduced and free lunch population – an indication of poverty. For a few years, that was my perspective, but then my perspective changed.

I attended for the first time, a Rotary International Convention. I hadn’t traveled much internationally and thus my world view was very limited. At the convention I met Rotarians from around the world.  We shared stories and talked about what they were doing in Rotary, and why they were a Rotarian. I realized that week, that we are more alike than we are different and my definition of community changed.  I realized that I wanted to support my community and I was no longer bound by a zip code.