Local Rotary clubs convene for special meeting
- Chuck Thompson
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent
BOILING SPRINGS — Rotary clubs from across the area gathered in Boiling Springs last week for a special presentation. The event was to honor Mark Markanda, a half-century Rotary member and public speaker who encourages Rotary members around the world to continue their good work.
Markanda, who has held multiple leadership positions, is currently District 7680 Membership Chair. He spoke to a combination of the Shelby Rotary, Shelby Breakfast Rotary, Cherryville, and Boiling Springs Area Rotary Clubs during a luncheon at Boiling Springs Town Hall last week.
Gail Daves, who recently served two consecutive terms as the Boiling Springs president, introduced Makanda before he spoke to the club members on Monday. She noted there is an award named after him for all that he has done for Rotary. Boiling Springs won the prestigious award last year.
“Coming up in March 2027, Mark will have had fifty years of perfect attendance,” Daves said. “Now that is a Rotarian.” Members in attendance clapped at his achievement.
“He has dedicated his life.” she continued. “He’s dedicated is mind, his hands, his heart to serving other people, to service and that’s why he’s here today. Mark believes in people.. he believes we can do great things…”
In his motivational speech to local Rotary members, he noted how he had visited Rotary clubs in 32 countries over the past fifty years and noticed one important factor – that being welcome in any rotary club is important. When he’s invited to a different rotary club he never says no to anyone.
Markanda spoke on perfect attendance and how that is achievable whether it involves attending the same club or not; attending other Rotarian clubs and expecting to be welcome at any of the clubs, if one is a member elsewhere, one should always feel welcomed.
He said he joined Rotary in 1977 and became his club’s 55th member and first held office as a Rotarian president in 1981.
He spoke on keeping members active and wanting to know why people might leave the club and what can be done to keep member participation active – which is by being welcomed by all.
He also noted that everyone he has met in rotary clubs across the world have all been kind and he was very proud of that, as he stated it should be. Markanda also said to surround one’s self with bright people willing to help make a difference.
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“Surround yourself with people that are smarter than you and learn from them and lead them…”
He also emphasized membership and bringing in new members. “Just reach out to people, look at your neighbors and coworkers or when out shopping, invite them to be a part of something special.”
“Goals unset are goals unreached,” he added. “My goals are high.”
Rotary’s mission is to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.
The Boiling Springs Area Rotary was formed in 1967 when a group of citizens in Boiling Springs began a discussion about forming a Rotary Club. On April 6, 1967, the group met and discussed having a joint meeting with the members of The Shelby Rotary Club. This meeting was subsequently held on April 10, 1967.
On June 29, 1967, a request to Rotary International was confirmed for a club charter to be established and named Boiling Springs Area. The Charter was presented at a banquet at Gardner Webb University at the Charles I. Dover Campus Center on October 10, 1967. Zachary Parker serves as the current president of the Boiling Springs Area Rotary.
For more information on Boiling Springs area Rotary, you can send correspondence to P.O. Box 412, Boiling Springs, NC 228017, or email: BoilingSpringsRotary@gmail.com .
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Chuck Thompson is a reporter and columnist for The Shelby Independent.
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