Posted by District Governor Rich Kirkham on Sep 16, 2019
Everyone knows that Sun Valley probably has some of the best snow on earth.  But what is less well known is that the communities of Ketchum and Sun Valley also have one of the best Rotary Clubs on earth!  What makes them so great? 
A lot of things but for one thing, Ketchum and Sun Valley Rotarians are masters at raising money.  Each year they consistently raise tens of thousands of dollars through their various fundraising efforts.  
 
 
You may be asking, “How do they do it?”  But HOW they do it is not nearly so important as WHY they do it.  Their WHY is this: They are passionate about education and youth programs.  
 
 
Simply put, the Ketchum Sun Valley club starts with “WHY” they should raise money.  Every year the Ketchum Sun Valley Club donates thousands of dollars to help students in their community go on to higher education. In addition to generous scholarships, they also help sponsor the local Tech Team, the high school Senior Bash, camp Rainbow Gold for kids with cancer, and of course RYLA! 
 
 
 
Whenever you have a big enough ‘WHY’ you can always come up with a ‘HOW’! True enough that the Wood River Valley is blessed with many generous and substantial donors but someone still has to have the passion, drive and commitment to go out and raise the money.  That can happen anywhere, in ANY club if you only start with WHY!” 
 
Rotary International Board Member Johrita Solari, who represents all 44 of District 5400’s clubs at RI, believes that more Rotary Clubs need to start with WHY if they want to be successful.  Johrita gifted a copy of the book “Start With Why” by Simon Sinek, to every District Governor in Zone 27. 
 
When I read START WITH WHY, I realized something important about leadership.  It's simply easier to inspire people to do things when they have a reason to do it.  Something they believe in.
 
One quote I like from the book goes like this, "It is not logic or facts but our hopes and dreams, our hearts and our guts, that drive us to try new things.”
 
As you approach your next service project, fundraiser, or club social, stop for a moment and ask yourself, “WHY are we doing this?”  What is our purpose, our goal, our aim?  Define those points and whatever you do, you will be more successful. 
 
That's because you will have started with WHY!