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ATTICA-WILLIAMSPORT Rotary
Celebrates 66 Years of Service January 19, 2003 Sunday afternoon at the Beef House
automatically brings to mind good food, good friends and a good time. Adding the
fact that January 19, 2003 marks the 66th anniversary of the
Attica-Williamsport Rotary Club meant that the gathering was meaningful as well
as fun. Herb Pigman was surprised with an award. Representing Governor O’Bannon, Retired State Representative Claire Leuck appointed Mr. Pigman a Sagamore of the Wabash. Governor O’Bannon made this appointment to “express the appreciation of all Hoosiers for your commitment to making Indiana a better place to live and raise a family.” The award is given to those who have rendered distinguished service to the state and includes a plaque, a letter of commendation from the governor, and a lapel pin. The term "Sagamore" was
used by the American Indian tribes of the northeastern U.S. to describe a great
man among the tribe to whom the chief would look for wisdom and advice. The
Sagamore of the Wabash award was created during the term of Gov. Ralph Gates,
who served from 1945-49 and has been presented by governors ever since. There is
no record of the total number which have been presented, but recipients include
astronauts, U.S. presidents, ambassadors, artists, musicians, educators,
political and business leaders and ordinary citizens who have contributed to the
Hoosier heritage. Herb joked that since he is now a member of the Governor’s
inner circle he wouldn’t be surprised if he gets a call from the Governor
asking for advice on budget issues. It was fitting that the presentation
of the Sagamore of the Wabash award took place during a Rotary
celebration. Herb is committed to his local and his international community.
Herb was the General Secretary of Rotary International from 1979 to 1986
and again from 1993 to 1995. He also worked with the PolioPlus Committee since
1985 and now with the Polio Eradication Advocacy Task Force which is working
tirelessly to raise $80 million during 2002-2003. The commitment of Rotary
International to the eradication of Polio was addressed by Larry Shawver,
Manager of Fund Development for the Rotary Foundation at the Rotary
International Headquarters in Evanston, Illinois. In the early 1980s Rotary
began to change its focus from education to the issue of polio eradication. The
change seemed strange at first but was quickly adopted as a major goal of Rotary
International. When in 1982 a polio outbreak occurred in the Philippines, Rotary
members came to appreciate just how good they were at social mobilization
efforts. In 1984 Rotary defined its goal as having immunized all the world’s
children by 2005, the 100th Anniversary of the founding of Rotary.
By 2005 Rotary members will have contributed over $500,000 to this cause.
The man largely responsible for
creating the roadmap to enable Rotary to reach this ambitious goal is Herb
Pigman. Herb used a football analogy to illustrate how close Rotary is to
reaching its goal. He said it is like a football team moving the football down
the field to the 3 inch line. There have been a few setbacks and the last foot
seems to be the hardest. But, Herb expects that within the next 18 months we
will see the last case of polio. He is expecting that by 2005 Rotary will be
celebrating the accomplishment of the goal of eradicating Polio. Herb reminded
the members of the importance of a roadmap to reaching a goal. Given the
magnitude of the goal set, Rotary leadership and members did set the course and
work hard to be able to declare their journey a success.
Another achievement to be celebrated
was marked by the presentation of the Governor’s Citation to the
Attica-Williamsport Rotary Club by District Governor Hugh Baker, III. This
Citation recognizes that the club has met Rotary’s goals for participation and
growth. Mark Mason, the current President, accepted this award on behalf of the
Club. Also recognized were Dr. Judy Bush,
Carolyn Paulson, Suzann Shackleton, and Bob Shepherd. They received the Paul
Harris Fellow recognition as The Rotary Foundation’s way of expressing its
appreciation for a substantial contribution to its humanitarian and educational
programs. The club also celebrated its history.
The first meeting of the Attica-Williamsport Rotary was held at hotel
Mudlavia on Tuesday, January 19, 1937. Members are proud that it was Paul
Harris, founder of Rotary International, who presented the Club its Charter. The
club thrived through the early years, and as was the experience of other service
clubs, faced declining membership in the Eighties and Nineties. According to
Past-President Judy Hollander, Herb Pigman and Past District Governor, Charles
Bragg are the individuals who did much to help energize the Attica-Williamsport
Club. According to Doan Helms,
another boost in morale occurred when Rotary International began welcoming women
into their organization. “The ladies quickly demonstrated their excellent
attitude for organization and cooperation. Attica-Williamsport quickly caught on
to this new lease on club life and began recruiting women from our area.”
Rotary continues to look forward to a steady increase in membership of both men
and women who will continually build on and live the Rotary motto: “He Profits
Most Who Serves Best.” . |