On the evening of October 15, 2022, Rotary and Rotaract clubs in Utah came together to raise awareness of and funding for global Polio eradication efforts. World Polio Month is in October, with World Polio Day being the twenty-fourth of October.

UVU Rotaractors and Utah Rotarians with Immediate Past President of Rotary International and Gala’s Keynote Speaker, President John Germ

Utah Valley University (UVU) Rotaractors took advantage of the Student-Engaged Learning Model (SEL) and arrived at the Karen G. Miller Conference Center at 4 pm to help set up for the Gala. The Student Engaged Learning Model promotes student engagement by helping with events and proactive learning with limited guidance from a mentor. Kelly Atkinson, a Rotarian and one of the Gala’s organizers, divided the tasks between the students. We helped with the Rotary flag set-up, organizing name tags, decorating the main foyer, check-in prep, centerpiece arrangement, and final check-in for the event. Each task added to the ambiance and organization of the event.

Stephan Atkinson and Tristin Juárez-Smith (UVU Rotaractors) set up informational Rotary Banners in the Event Foyer

UVU Rotaractors began their prepwork by lining the walkways of each entrance with several Rotaract and Rotarian flags. The inside corridor was embellished with informational Rotary displays and banners designed to help attendees understand the significance of eradicating polio. One item on display was a  painting to be auctioned off, with the proceeds going towards ending polio. UVU Rotarians set up each display. Along with positioning displays, tables were decorated with festive fall centerpieces and polio information cards. With the lobby decorated, UVU Rotaractors focused on the guest sign-in, which included finding their name badge.

     

Lily Hall (UVU Rotaractor) Puts Up Flags to Line Entrance Walkway

Helping with attendee check-in allowed me to meet phenomenal Rotarians who serve in the  community and have made significant strides in improving public health and quality of life.

Lily Hall, Emily Hall, Stephan Atkinson, and Rachel Welker (UVU Rotaractors) Check-In Utah Rotarians

 

The keynote speaker for the event was John Germ, the immediate past President of Rotary International. Also on the program were renowned musical artist Robyn Cage and several Rotarians who were honored throughout the night for their notable contributions to Rotary. One couple, Penny and Kelly Atkinson, were honored for their sizeable donation and dedicated efforts in Rotary and polio eradication. Both the keynote speaker, the musical guest, and the featured Rotarians pointed the audience’s attention to Rotary’s worthwhile mission of disease eradication, which includes Polio.

The announcers for the evening were three young Rotarians and Jose Velasco, District Governor for Utah Rotary. Jose Velasco’s introductory remarks centered around unity. He spoke of the idea that unity enhances what we do in Rotary. It is an enabling factor for working together to make the world better.

 

President John F. Germ presenting at Utah Rotary Gala with Utah Rotarians and UVU Rotaractors Attendance

 

John Germ has visited thirty-nine countries while assisting in Rotary’s efforts to eradicate polio. He was also in charge of the 200 million challenge. President Germ presented a few of the world's polio statistics. Currently, only two countries have polio cases. The number of cases has significantly decreased since 1985, as Rotary has worked on vaccinating children worldwide. Each vaccine costs $0.14. It takes $0.14 to help one child. During his speech, President Germ asked Rotarians to stand up if they had been involved in Rotary in 1985. A few members stood throughout the room. It was these Rotarians that had the vision to end polio. President Germ emphasized the need for more Rotarians to carry on the legacy that had already been thoughtfully carved out by generations of past Rotarians. President Germ made the joke, “You have one chance to say no to Rotary. It is when you join.” His joke reminded me of the valuable contributions Rotary has made worldwide. You can’t help but want to join in and aid the cause.

Lily Hall and Emily Hall, with Past Rotary President John Germ

My impression of Rotary can be described in an acronym shared by John Germ. He said, “Team stands for Together Everyone Accomplishes More.” The unity and determination Rotarians have are evident in the lives of each member in attendance. Rotarians and Rotaractors have a passion for making a difference. It all started with their decision to do something.

              Rachel Welker, UVU Foreign Affairs Club Vice President and UVU Rotaractor

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STUDENT REFLECTIVE ESSAYS

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22-12-01-Stephan Atkinson - UVU Rotaractors Contributed to Utah Rotary Gala

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DISTRICT ROTARY NEWSLETTER ABOUT UVU ROTARACTORS

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District Rotary November 2022 newsletter

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