Rotary hits century mark

By JESSICA KASTNER, Southington Observer staff writer

America is the richest nation in the world, with more opportunities for success today than ever before. But the 1.2 million people who call themselves Rotarians say it isn’t enough to gain success and live for yourself. With great blessing comes great responsibility. Rotary International is worldwide organization business and professional leaders that provides humanitarian service, encourages high ethical standards in all vocations, and helps build goodwill and peace in the world. Southington has about Rotary members, led by new President Rose Marie DeFeo, who is a manager at TDBanknorth downtown Southington.

That may be because not just anyone can join Rotary. The group only consists of business owners, or in DeFeo’s case, managers of a corporate or municipal entity. Also, no more than four percent of the group’s total enrollment can consist of one type of business. That way, members have a wider pool of resources and people to connect with. So is Rotary an elitist group focused networking and socializing? Hardly. When examining the groups goals, values and activities over the last 50 or so years, Rotary is a powerful vehicle for our community’s betterment.

Just ask Aaron Laviana, a junior at Notre Dame University, and Marta Mieczkowska, a 2005 graduate of Boston University, who were both selected to receive the 2005 continued