Amy Payne, middle, with her Rotary mentors Richard Wheaton and Reda Tabor.

By Amy Payne, Rotary Club of Scottsville, Kentucky, USA

A year ago, I walked into a meeting of the Scottsville Rotary Club with a mission to present the newly opened Victory Hill Dream Center. Little did I know that this meeting would mark the beginning of a life-changing transformation for me.

From the moment I stepped into that Rotary meeting, I knew I had found more than just an audience for my presentation. I had found a Rotary family that welcomed me with open arms, embracing my vision of service and community support.

As a discipleship pastor at Victory Hill church in Scottsville, I’m committed to and passionate about serving our community. Directing and organizing the outreach center, which caters to the needs of the community, is a privilege that fills my heart with purpose.

Since joining Rotary, I’ve been mentored by an amazing group of peers who have taught me the true meaning of Rotary’s motto, Service Above Self. Together with my fellow Rotarians, I’ve had the privilege to jump right into service work, making a tangible impact on the lives of those we serve.

From volunteering alongside my fellow Rotarians to leading the speech contest, I have felt the power of collaboration and unity in action. But beyond the projects and initiatives, what truly touched my heart is the genuine friendship, community support, and family-like bond that Rotary has brought into my life.

Today, I can proudly say that I have transformed from being just a member to becoming a Rotarian. The values of Rotary have become a part of who I am, inspiring me to make a lasting difference.

Rotary has given me not only a platform to serve but also an extended family of like-minded individuals who share a common goal of making our community a better place for all.

Through this short journey, I’ve discovered the true essence of Rotary: a global force for good, united by love, compassion, and unwavering commitment to service. I am honored and humbled to be a part of this extraordinary Rotary family. Together, we are creating a legacy of service and impacting lives in ways we could never have imagined.

https://blog.rotary.org/2023/09/21/my-rotary-journey-from-member-to-rotarian/