(Editor's Note:  Mitch Allen presented this address as a portion of the Induction ceremony conducted on the Rotary eClub of the State of Jefferson's Charter Night)

Dear Rotarians and guests:

There are many milestones that are life altering:   FAMILY – SCHOOL – CAREERS. 

BUT at some point we realize the importance of COMMUNITY.  We want to Give Back to society.  It is my privilege to welcome you to the Rotary eClub State of Jefferson.  Many of you in this room have already experienced Rotary service at international level, and some of you are new or just beginning your Rotary adventure.  The day you become a Rotarian marks the beginning of many years of involvement and achievement, a life-altering event.

The PORTALS OF ROTARY ARE THROWN OPEN TO YOU!

You have been chosen for membership in the Rotary eClub of State of Jefferson, because your fellow members believe you to be a leader in your vocation and community.  While membership in Rotary is an honor and privilege, it involves corresponding obligations.  In return, we expect that you will share the responsibility for the development of closer personal relationships, which will be to our mutual benefit.  Therefore, we commit ourselves to doing our part to make you feel welcome.Good Rotarians must constantly keep before them the primary object of Rotary:“Service Above Self”.

On behalf of the eClub of State of Jefferson and Rotary International, may we welcome you into our Rotary Wheel - - which faces inward for friendship and fellowship and outward in service to our community and to the world.

We now begin with the Rotary pin presentation to declare you to be a member of the eClub State of Jefferson. This pin is presented as a symbol of your acceptance into the family of Rotary. Wear this pin --you are the billboard of Rotary.

Current Members:
Tonight we first begin to recognize those Rotarians that have directly transferred their membership from another club. They represent some 210 years of Rotary services among the nine who have transferred. They have served at local club and/or district leadership levels or at the Zone level. We are honored with their continued leadership and Rotary drive to serve the community.
May those Rotarians please step forward.

We are proud to present to you this Rotary Badge/pin. May DGE Jim Lussier extend his hand of friendship as he represents Rotary International.

Past Rotarians:
Thank you for accepting the invitation of the members of this club to rejoin us in the Worldwide Fellowship and Service work of Rotary. This invitation was extended to you because we believe that your leadership qualities are allied to those qualities of head and heart, which fit you to interpret and impart the message of Rotary to your fellow members.

You represent some 176 years of Rotary services among the nine who have rejoin Rotary.  We hope that you will give this Club the benefits of your previous Rotary experience to further strengthen the fellowship of this Club, to help us serve even more effectively this community and the wider world fields of Rotary Service.

I am proud to present to you this Rotary Badge/pin. May DGE Jim Lussier extend his hand of friendship as he represents Rotary Interational.

New Members:
You have been chosen for membership because our members believe you to be a leader in your particular vocation, and that you manifest those qualities of heart and mind which fit you to interpret and impart the message of Rotary to the community at large.

You will represent your vocation and any contribution of an educational value pertaining to your business must, naturally, come to us through you. On behalf of Rotary International, our District and your club – Congratulations on becoming Rotary’s newest member in the world!
 
I am proud to present to you this Rotary Badge/pin. May DGE Jim Lussier extend his hand of friendship as he represents Rotary International.

Then all pledge: “With the acceptance of this Rotary emblem, which opens doors of friendship and bridges gaps, I pledge: Not to be just a cog in the Rotary wheel, but to the part of its driving force.To make my Rotary attendance a joy and not have it become a burden.To serve my club in any capacity in which I am asked to serve.To be an ambassador from my vocation, to my club, my community, and society, as I know I must vindicate my affiliation with Rotary.To be proud to associate with all persons of the community, knowing with deep conviction that international understanding is the root and not the fruit of international peace."

Put “Peace Through Service” in your hands (this year's Rotary theme).  May you be stimulated by the friendship you find here, and may we in return knowing you to be an added source of strength to our club.  Let us pledge to keep Rotary growing.

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