The strength of a community can be gauged by the involvement of its service organizations. Judging by the numerous activities of the Bedford Rotary Club, Bedford is a strong community indeed.

President William Fine took some time to share about the Rotary Club’s history in Bedford, its mission and how the organization has given back to the town, as well as clearing up the mystery of what the “rotary” in the Rotary Club’s name means.

Here’s part of the conversation:

Q: How long have you been a member of the Bedford Rotary Club? Did you hold any other positions within the organization before becoming president?

A: I joined the Rotary Club of Bedford in April 2009. I have previously held the positions of club secretary and president-elect.

Q: What made you decide to join the Rotary Club?

A: I was looking for a club that was actively involved in community service and provided the opportunity for community fellowship.

Q: What is the mission of the Rotary Club?

A: The Rotary Club’s mission is to provide service to others; promote integrity; and advance world understanding, goodwill and peace through its fellowship of business, professional and community leaders.

Q: Does the Rotary Club’s name have any particular significance?

A: The Rotary Club’s name comes from its history, which dates back to 1905, when Paul Harris formed a businessmen’s club. The meetings used to rotate their location to each member’s place of business.

Q: How long has there been a Bedford chapter of the Rotary Club? Why was the chapter founded?

A: The club was originally chartered July 1, 1969, as the West Manchester Rotary Club. It now serves the Bedford and West Manchester communities.

The club started with a nucleus of 20 businessmen and professionals. These individuals wanted to give back to the local and international communities. They felt that the Rotary Club’s mission and goals best represented their intent. They all embraced the Rotary motto, “Service above self,” and the object of Rotary, which is to encourage the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise, and in particular to foster:

? The development of acquaintances as an opportunity for service.

? High ethical standards in business and in professions, the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations and the dignifying of each Rotarian’s occupation to serve society.

? The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian’s personal, business and community life.

? The advancement of international understanding, goodwill and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.

Q: How is the Bedford Rotary Club involved in the local community?

A: Some of the Rotary Club of Bedford’s involvement in the community has included:

? Construction of the Legacy Park warming hut and field house, used to support community skiing activities.

? Building Little League dugouts.

? Building a Heritage Trail walking bridge.

? Chartering a local Cub Scout and Boy Scout troop.

? Senior Citizens’ Annual Holiday Banquet & Party. Men and women from the area nursing homes look forward to this celebration each year.

? Bedford Public Library children’s summer reading program.

? Purchase of public library books.

? High school music scholarships.

? Salvation Army bell ringing from Thanksgiving to Christmas.

? Support packages for our overseas troops.

? Support to numerous other local community organizations.

Q: Is the Bedford Rotary Club involved in any activities on the international level?

A: Rotary International comprises more than 1.2 million Rotarians belonging to more than 34,000 clubs in 200 countries.

Our club has participated in various Rotary International Programs, such as home stay and fellowship exchanges. Our club has hosted visitors from Australia, England, France, Germany, South Africa, Korea, India, Brazil, the Philippines and Scotland. Our club has participated in group study exchanges, and we have sponsored an International Ambassadorial Scholar funded by the Rotary Foundation.

Each year, our members contribute to the Rotary Foundation. Foundation programs provide educational opportunities, food, potable water, health care, immunizations and shelter for millions of people around the world.

The Rotary Foundation is a major participant in the elimination of polio worldwide. Many people believe that polio has been eliminated, but in the 1980s, several hundred thousand cases occurred worldwide.

The Gates Foundation has awarded grants totaling $335 million to Rotary, and Rotary has agreed to raise $200 million for the elimination of polio. Rotary support includes not only major funding but hands-on dosing in many countries.

Now, only a small number of cases exist in three remaining countries, and the goal of eliminating polio should be realized in the next few years.

Q: How can someone become a member of the Bedford Rotary Club?

A: Contact our club at rotarybedfordnh@gmail.com and tell us a little about yourself and your interests. We meet 7:30-8:30 a.m. Wednesdays at the Manchester Country Club. Interesting speakers from the community, government or local colleges highlight our club meetings.

Our club website can be found at www.clubrunner.ca/bedford. We will soon have an active Facebook page available.

Q: How can the Bedford community help the organization achieve its goals?

A: Join us for the fun at our fundraisers. Upcoming fundraisers include the Regional Idol Scholarship Contest, Jan. 12; the Pasta Festival, April 13; and the Bedford Memorial 12K/5K Road Race, May 18.

If anyone would like to help out at any of our fundraisers or events, please drop an email to rotarybedford
nh@gmail.com.