RGHF - Rotary Global History Fellowship

[RGHF Administration]

WHY I AM A ROTARIAN? By: Rosey Wong

September 2009

www.whyiam.org



I learned about Rotary Clubs in Singapore when I first began my Travel Agent Career in 1969. In those days Rotary Clubs were for men only.

When my family & I came to San Francisco, CA USA in 1985 I heard from my friends in Singapore that Rotary was now admitting women. I was very excited, but did not want to wait to be invited, so I called 2 Rotary Clubs - Oakland #3 & San Francisco #2 because I worked in San Francisco and lived in the Oakland Hills. This was in 1987. After 4 months my application was approved and I was officially introduced on February 2, 1988. At the same meeting I learned about Rotary’s pledge to eradicate Polio. I am pleased to know that only four countries have Polio today.

My first R I convention was in May 1989 to Seoul, Korea with my first close Rotary friend Kay Clarke. My first International Service Project was Rotaplast in 1990 when I was a Rotary Volunteer to La Serena, Chile. In those days Rotaplast was part of SFO Rotary #2 Club. Today it is a separate entity.

My first Club Service Project was fund raising for SFO Boys & Girls Club at our Annual Fund raising Dinner & Dance. Being in the Travel Business I donated airline tickets from Malaysian Airlines & Singapore Airlines and hotel packages from the Hotels I represented in Singapore & Malaysia.

I was having a ball and making new friends and attending almost all the R I conventions every year and was a speaker at the SFO Career Day and Camp Enterprise. I have enjoyed speaking since I was a School Teacher before becoming a Travel Professional & Master Cruise Counselor.

Why I am a Rotarian? I enjoy the fellowship with Rotarians around the world and that is why I joined the International Fellowship of Travel Agents in 1993 and became the Chair in 1995. I have hosted GSE Teams from Taiwan and Youth Exchange students from Germany.

I am a Multiple Paul Harris Fellow, Charter Member of Bequest Society, Charter Member of Paul Harris Society of D-5160, Major Donor and a Benefactor.

Can you tell me which organization can allow you to make a meeting in Cairo, Egypt where women were 2nd class citizens? Everywhere I make up I am asked to say a few words about my club and what we do. I have never felt so respected and treated as an equal.

I am proud to be a Rotarian and that is why I have sponsored many of my friends and Business associates to Rotary. Besides promoting world understanding Rotary is a means to help others less fortunate than you and a great opportunity to improve your business.

Rosey Wong (aka Rosey S B Tan)

Rotary Club of San Francisco #2, CA USA D5150
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