Rotary Global History

Authorized by Rotary International

www.RotaryHistoryFellowship.org

Fellow Rotarians,

It is now five years since the World Trade Center Disaster on 9/11 in 2001. It brings back strong memories of what I experienced then. You can read about it in the Rotary Global History Newsletter that I wrote on 9/11 and is published on our website at www.rotaryhistoryfellowship.org/clubs/ny/eyewitness/index.htm.

This newsletter was sent out to all Rotary District Governors around the world. The response was incredible. You read the responses on our website at the following links:

Rotarians in Australia:

www.rotaryhistoryfellowship.org/clubs/ny/australia/index.htm

Rotarians in Asia:

www.rotaryhistoryfellowship.org/clubs/ny/districts/index.htm

Rotarians in North America:

www.rotaryhistoryfellowship.org/clubs/ny/northamerica/index.htm

www.rotaryhistoryfellowship.org/clubs/ny/ny6/index.htm

www.rotaryhistoryfellowship.org/clubs/ny/oklahoma/index.htm

www.rotaryhistoryfellowship.org/clubs/ny/canada/index.htm

www.rotaryhistoryfellowship.org/clubs/ny/missouri/index.htm

www.rotaryhistoryfellowship.org/clubs/ny/30000/index.htm

Rotarians in Europe:

www.rotaryhistoryfellowship.org/clubs/ny/ribi/index.htm

www.rotaryhistoryfellowship.org/clubs/ny/rotaryeurope/index.htm

Rotarians in Africa:

www.rotaryhistoryfellowship.org/clubs/ny/rotaryafrica/index.htm

Rotarians in Asia:

www.rotaryhistoryfellowship.org/clubs/ny/rotaryasia/index.htm

Rotarians in South America:

www.rotaryhistoryfellowship.org/clubs/ny/southamerica/index.htm

Rotary International:

http://www.rotaryhistoryfellowship.org/clubs/ny/president/index.htm

www.rotaryhistoryfellowship.org/clubs/ny/ri/index.htm

New York Rotary Foundation:

www.rotaryhistoryfellowship.org/clubs/ny/fund/index.htm

www.rotaryhistoryfellowship.org/clubs/ny/nytrustees/index.htm

Rotarians from the First 100 Rotary Clubs:

www.rotaryhistoryfellowship.org/clubs/ny/committee/index.htm

Rotarians did not only respond, they also sent money to the New York Rotary Foundation to the tune of approximately $1.5 million. It is the biggest fundraising achievement in Rotary Global History by a single Rotary Club. It was done by the Rotary Club of New York through its Foundation. About $300,000 was raised in New York. The remaining $1.2 million came from Rotarians around the world.

The money was used for great purposes and is fully accounted for in a report published on the internet at www.nyrotaryhistory.org/Foundation/foundation.html.

The interesting thing about this fund raising was that we never once asked Rotarians to send money. They just did so anyway. At that time, I had been a Rotarian for only three years. The 9/11 experience taught me how compassionate and generous Rotarians around the world really are. It made a lasting impression on me. I truly understood how powerful the International Fellowship of Rotarians is and I am very glad to be part of it.

In retrospect, many things have changed as a result of the 9/11 disaster. New York used to be a city that did not get shaken for anything. New Yorkers saw Heads of States come and go every day without notice. Big accidents happened in the city every day without much sensation. New York had grown immune to all of this.

When the 9/11 disaster happened, the whole city of New York was shaken to its foundation. Everybody noticed it. The city came to a standstill. The whole world was also shaken as they watched New York. I dare say that 9/11 had the biggest impact on New York in modern times.

I have noticed that during 9/11 and thereafter, New Yorkers have become softer, friendlier and more humble. Those of us, who were there, have a special bond that unites us emotionally. New York is a different city today.

America has also changed. It seems that the open borders are not so open anymore. Our country has become increasingly suspicious to foreigners, which could become a detriment to us in the long run. Our great country has always thrived on the extra talents that our immigrants have brought us.

Interestingly enough, I do not see any change in Rotary. I think it is because Rotarians around the world have always been generous and compassionate. 9/11 did not change that. Rotarians have also been very open minded about people in other countries and they still are.

Rotarians, who are Christians, Muslims or Buddhists have always been Fellow Rotarians and they do not discriminate. It is interesting to see how enduring the fundamental values of Rotary have been and still are.

In order to understand how the fundamental values of Rotary have developed, I recommend that you go to the Rotary Global History website at www.RotaryHistoryFellowship.org. It is important to understand Rotary Global History as we Lead the Way of Rotary into the Future.

Yours in Rotary Service,

Matts Ingemanson

RGHF Ambassador

Chairman 2004-2006

Centennial Chairman 2004-2005

Vice Chairman 2001-2003

Rotary Global History