Feature Address delivered by Lara Quentrall-Thomas, Past District Governor, Rotary District 7030
Celebrating Rotary Membership Month at the Rotary Club of St Augustine
On July 20, 2025, the Rotary Club of St Augustine marked a special occasion — its Honourary and Membership Induction Ceremony — with an inspiring address from Past District Governor (PDG) Lara Quentrall-Thomas. In the spirit of Rotary Membership Month, PDG Lara shared her personal journey, reflections, and call to action for both new and seasoned members, reminding all present of the deeper meaning behind their Rotary pins.
From Networking to a Lifelong Legacy
PDG Lara joined Rotary in 1999 as a young entrepreneur, eager to grow her business through networking. But what began as a professional opportunity quickly transformed into a life of service, leadership, and lasting impact.
“Rotary has given me so much more than I have given it,” she shared. “Travel, friendships, professional development, leadership opportunities — the list goes on. Being a Rotarian has become part of my legacy.”
For her, this legacy means contributing to the eradication of polio — one of only two diseases ever eliminated globally — nurturing young leaders through initiatives like the annual Model UN, and fostering goodwill and peace through international collaboration.
Quoting Martin Luther King Jr., she reminded members: “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”
The Transformative Power of Rotary
PDG Lara outlined the personal, professional, and societal benefits of Rotary membership:
Personal Growth
Sense of Purpose: Helping others brings fulfillment and meaning.
Well-being: Volunteering reduces stress and boosts happiness.
Broader Perspective: Engaging with diverse communities deepens understanding of global and local challenges.
Professional Development
Skill Building: Leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills flourish through service.
Networking: Members connect with professionals and mentors worldwide.
Career Value: Employers often value volunteer experience as a mark of initiative and commitment.
Community Impact
Strengthening Bonds: Service builds stronger communities.
Driving Change: Rotary initiatives support education, health, peace, and sustainability.
Empowering Others: Volunteers inspire and uplift those they serve.
Quoting Mahatma Gandhi, she affirmed: “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
Standing Among Leaders
Highlighting Rotary’s rich history of influential members, PDG Lara noted that past Rotarians include U.S. Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy, world leaders like King Charles and Pope Francis, innovators like Walt Disney and Thomas Edison, and pioneering women such as Jennifer Jones — Rotary International’s first female president — and Sylvia Whitlock, the first female Rotary club president.
Maximizing the Rotary Experience
For members — especially those newly inducted — PDG Lara offered ten practical ways to stay engaged and impactful:
Align your service with your passions.
Set personal and club goals.
Build meaningful connections.
Embrace leadership opportunities.
Stay inspired through learning.
Celebrate small wins.
Get involved in projects.
Share your expertise.
Say “yes” to opportunities.
Enjoy fellowship while making a difference.
The Magic of Rotary
Closing with a story of connections and goodwill — what she calls “the Magic of Rotary” — PDG Lara underscored that if you have a passion for community engagement and leadership, Rotary is where you belong.
Her final reminder echoed Helen Keller’s timeless words: “Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much.”
As the Rotary Club of St Augustine welcomed its newest members during this ceremony, the message was clear: in Rotary, every member has the power to leave a legacy of service — one that extends far beyond the individual, touching lives and shaping a better world.