AN AMBASSADORIAL SCHOLAR'S ROTARY JOURNEY
Posted by Heidi Resetarits, Rotary Alumni Group President, heidi.rr@gmail.com
Small Conversation Lights a Rotary Fire
What you do matters. Who you talk to, who you share with…these little moments of connectivity can completely change somebody’s trajectory. I know this feeling first hand, and it is my Rotary story. A few years ago at a holiday work party, my life was changed forever. I met my friend and future mentor, Ann Tull. The party was dull, but our conversation sparked a little light in me that completely transformed my life. Ann introduced me to Rotary, and eventually encouraged me to apply for the Ambassadorial Scholarship. What she didn’t know at that time is that I was desperate for a change, for a light, for something different. I started the application and realized that working toward higher education and a future that revolved around “Service Above Self” was what I was looking for. Fast forward a year of hard work and dedication and I was on my way to the United Nations University for Peace in Ciudad Colon, Costa Rica as an Ambassadorial Scholar for Rotary District 5450.
My year in Costa Rica completely transformed my life. My studies led me to a Masters of the Arts in Responsible Management and Sustainable Economic Development. I loved studying and meeting ‘my’ people; my classmates who shared the same vision or had hopes of innovating development in a positive and sustainable way. Beyond the books, I built a network of friends who have become my global family. Two other Scholars and I put together a 5K Walk/Run For Peace fundraiser to promote health, wellness and community for our little town and the university. That race ended up raising funds for Polio Plus and the local Red Cross. It also garnered national attention. My time in Costa Rica built a bridge toward my future and invigorated every step of the way.
Upon my return to the US, my life began to settle down—but I continued to be antsy. Living in Costa Rica was incredible, but I had new goals to building my future and still serving the way I knew I could. I knew Rotary would be a part of it, but I also knew I couldn’t afford it. I was an entrepreneur, with my own business as a marketing professional; I was barely making ends meet. My sponsor club, Denver Mile High, offered me a pass—they made me an Honorary Member of their club. Any time I wanted to go, I was welcomed with open arms. They became my Rotary family, and I became more involved with building connections in our community. Eventually I was invited to sit on the Ambassadorial Scholarship Committee, helping the group decide which of our incredible applicants would be able to have the same gift of a Rotary scholarship that I had. Even though I wasn’t a Rotarian, I was invited to create an Alumni Group for the district and, as President, gathered anyone who had received funds from the Foundation. With the support of Ann, the district, other clubs and RI our group began to form. Most of the members were not Rotarians, but most had the same feeling: Rotary had changed their lives profoundly. Having these people in one room reminds me of Rotary’s long arch—that reach that connects people to the group all over the world no matter how they were involved. Alumni Groups are fortunate to receive $1,000 from Rotary International with which to do what we please. After a lot of thought, I decided we should continue the circle of giving back, why not double, triple, quadruple the money in a fundraiser of our own? September 13, 2014 we held our first 5K to End Polio. Once again, we hoped to raise money, awareness and promote health and fitness. We did just that. With about 200 participants and tons of support from District 5450, we raised about $7,500 towards the End Polio campaign. During this time I was asked many times, “Why not just join Rotary?” The truth was simple, I didn’t have the funds. One of my promotional events provided the push I needed to jump from highly involved volunteer to actual Rotarian—our fundraiser would be given $500 if I joined Rotary. Then it doubled, then it tripled. $1500 to End Polio Now just for me to join. I bit the bullet and found the most affordable club in my area, 5 Points Cultural District.
Two months after our fundraiser, I was resting and relaxing. I was so proud of our group and what we had accomplished. Kendall, my Rotary Alumni connection at the International headquarters told me no other Alumni Group had accomplished such a feat. I was thrilled—but was about to be even more knocked off my feet. Kendall informed me that RI wanted to invite me to the Peace Symposium and International Conference in BRAZIL. (They are paying all my expenses.) It brought me to tears. What a gift, and yes of course, I’m going.
The spark that ignited my love for Rotary started small. A conversation, encouragement, a life-changing chance at education. Now it continues to grow, from community engagement to a space on the global stage. I cannot imagine my life without the incredible people who fanned the flame, and the three little words that altered the direction of my future. Service Above Self. What’s next in Rotary for me? The world is wide open, and the light continues to shine and to grow, so we’ll see!