Raise the Bag, Raise the Bar: A Perfect Night for Service Above Self

In 1961, President John F. Kennedy stood on the steps of the University of Michigan and challenged America’s youth to “contribute in some way to the progress of the world.” Within months, thousands answered that call—leaving the comforts of home to build schools, dig wells, and teach children across distant lands. The Peace Corps was born—not from government mandate, but from ordinary people united by extraordinary purpose. They didn’t wait for someone else to fix the world—they showed up, shoulder to shoulder, and did the work themselves.

That same spirit lives and breathes today in Roswell Rotary. When people of goodwill unite behind a common cause, remarkable things happen. And last week, our club once again proved that service and fellowship are a powerful combination.

The spark was lit early at our club meeting, when Roswell Rotarian Sid Disher inspired us all with his generous $2,500 matching challenge for PolioPlus. That single act of leadership set the tone—turning a routine meeting into a rally of generosity. The PolioPlus raffle followed, building momentum that carried straight into the night, where purpose met play in another Rotary tradition.

As the sun dipped behind a perfect autumn sky, more than 80 Roswell Rotarians gathered for our annual Cornhole Tournament—a night filled with laughter, friendly competition, and pure fellowship. The venue was perfect. The weather was flawless. The spirit? Unbeatable. Members and friends mingled, cheered, and tossed bags under the lights—each throw symbolizing more than a game. It was a gesture of hope, a reminder that even simple moments of joy can ripple outward to change the world.

As anthropologist Margaret Mead once said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” That quote could have been written about Roswell Rotary.

Record Setting Result

When the raffle concluded and the final numbers were tallied, we stood in awe: over $15,000 raised for PolioPlus during the month of October. That total wasn’t just a financial achievement—it was a reflection of who we are. It’s what happens when generosity meets purpose, when fun meets impact, and when Service Above Self comes alive in every handshake and smile.

And perhaps another meaningful success of the night wasn’t measured in dollars. Several guests—moved by the camaraderie and heart they witnessed—requested membership applications that very night. That’s the magic of Rotary: when people feel the energy of service and fellowship combined, they want to be part of it. The word is out: Roswell Rotary is the place to be if you want to make a difference.

As we celebrate what we’ve accomplished, we also look to what’s next. At our upcoming meeting, we’ll welcome students from our local Interact Clubs—young leaders already walking the path of service. They’ll share their projects, their passion, and their hope for a better world. Their presence is proof that the torch of Rotary burns brightly in the next generation.

As Nelson Mandela once said, “What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that determines the significance of the life we lead.” When these students see Rotary in action—when they witness adults who live by Service Above Self—they learn that service isn’t a task; it’s a way of life.

Just as the Peace Corps began with a spark of inspiration and a call to serve, so too does our work continue to ripple outward—one act, one event, one person at a time. Every raffle ticket sold, every bag tossed, every laugh shared tells the same story: that when people of purpose come together, they can change the world.

And as our friend Bob Clarkson so perfectly said that night—“We didn’t just raise the bag… we raised the bar.”

Sic Vos Non Vobis

Trummie Patrick III
Roswell Rotary President 2025-26