A Story Worth Traveling For

Steve Jobs once said, “The most powerful person in the world is the storyteller.”

More than a century ago, two brothers in France faced a problem. André and Édouard Michelin had built a tire company, but hardly anyone was driving. In fact, in 1900, there were fewer than 3,000 automobiles in all of France. So the Michelin brothers came up with a brilliant idea. They created a small red guidebook filled with maps, hotels, mechanics, gas stations, and eventually restaurants worth traveling to visit. Their hope was simple: if people had a reason to leave the city and explore the countryside, they would drive more. If they drove more, they would wear out tires. And if they wore out tires, Michelin would sell more tires.

What began as a marketing idea eventually became the world famous Michelin Guide and the gold standard for restaurants across the globe. But at its core, it was never really about food. It was about storytelling. They created a narrative so compelling that people were willing to travel for it.

That got me thinking about Roswell Rotary, and honestly convicted me with a simple question: Are we telling our story well enough? Are we telling it often enough? Loud enough for people to hear? I’m afraid sometimes we are not. Every week, Rotarians around the world feed the hungry, mentor students, eradicate polio, support first responders, build homes, fund scholarships, and quietly change lives. Those things matter deeply. But how are we telling that story? Because the truth is, our stories matter.

To that end, have you invited someone to a meeting lately? And if you did, what did you say?

Did you say, “It’s the best fried chicken in Roswell?”

Or “It’s where the leaders of Roswell gather?”

Or “It’s a service organization doing good in the community?”

Or maybe “Robert Gordon Owens is a member of our club?”

Those things may all be true. However, I want you to think about your elevator speech for Roswell Rotary?

Do you talk about the lives we help save through our PolioPlus efforts? Do you mention standing beside Dave in the fight against human trafficking? Do you talk about our continued commitment to veterans, active military, and first responders? Do you mention the quieter acts of service that nobody sees, like a few Roswell Rotarians coming together to make sure a family in need has enough money in a child’s lunch account at Roswell High School so that kid does not have to worry about skipping lunch at school?

See, the message matters. The words matter.

And if you do not know your “why,” then you are missing something important. It does not make you less of a Rotarian, but it absolutely makes you less effective. People join Rotary because they hear stories about strangers rallying around a family in need. They join because they see the joy on a first responder’s child’s face at Farm Day. They join because they feel purpose, connection, and friendship..

The Michelin brothers understood that people are willing to go somewhere when they believe something meaningful is waiting for them there. As Rotarians, we should never exaggerate or create false narratives about what we do. Authenticity matters. Integrity matters. But we also cannot afford to undersell the impact of this organization. Too often, we communicate the facts of Rotary when we should be telling the story of Rotary.

Rotary is filled with incredible stories. I challenge you to take a minute today and think about your own “why.” Why are you here? Why does Rotary matter to you? Tell that story because somewhere in our community is someone searching for purpose, friendship, and/or simply a way to make a difference. And they may never find Rotary unless we give them a reason to take the journey. That is what great storytelling does.

And Rotary, at its very best, is a story worth traveling for………

Sic Vos Non Vobis

Trummie Lee Patrick III