Welcome to the Rotary Club of Columbus

GREETINGS FROM Tom Waynick, our 2023-24 president

It is always a great day to be a Rotarian!I am Tom Waynick and I am honored that you asked me to serve as the Club President for the Rotary year 2023-2024. Since Rotary was started in 1905 it has been instrumental in creating hope in the world.By bringing together professionals with diverse backgrounds, exchanging ideas and forming meaningful relationships, Rotary has done incredible humanitarian work both in our community and around the world.We have brought hope to people’s lives by working toward the near extinction of polio, bringing clean water and sanitation to millions of people across the globe, literacy campaigns, confronting human trafficking, advocating for women’s businesses, health and hygiene initiatives, and tens of thousands of other Rotary projects.

The Rotary Club of Columbus has had a rich history since its founding in 1915. Over the years our club has grown to nearly 300 members who, by their work, have made our community better and stronger.Past President Cedric Hill challenged us last year with the words of Paul Harris, “Whatever Rotary may mean to us, to the world it will be known by the results it achieves." The task before us is to continue and expand the legacy of what our club has meant to this community by committing ourselves to this year’s theme, “Create Hope in the World.” 

Included in that task is addressing something near and dear to me, mental health.During the closing session of this year’s Rotary Convention, the 2023-24 Rotary International President Gordon R. McInally explained why he is asking members to make mental health a priority. When his brother took his own life, McInally became determined to fight the stigma around mental health issues and expand access to care.He stated, "I might venture to suggest that one of the main reasons that my brother and so, so many others like him reach the point they do is that mental health remains such a taboo subject, and that mental health services remain in such short supply.  I know that Rotary can do something about that. I am confident we can illuminate mental health needs near and far."

McInally urged Rotary members to Create Hope in the World by getting involved and taking action at a critical moment in history.He went on to say, "To create hope, we must continue doing our important work, and do it better than ever before . . . We must refocus our efforts to build peace across the globe. And we must help each other find peace within and share that ethic of care to the people we serve."

As we begin another Rotary year, I am excited about the possibilities our club has in bringing hope to our community and beyond.I am passionate about our programs, our fellowship, and our projects – all designed to care for our community, our nation and the world.That work starts each week when we gather together to build relationships which is at the core of Rotary.It is extremely important that you be a part of our fellowship every week.Neuroscience informs us that it is in our human connections that hope and mental well-being flourish.We were designed to bond in safe, caring relationships.When we do, we find strength, resilience, and power to overcome and achieve incredible things.Thank you for your service and commitment to be a part of Rotary.Together we are creating hope in our world!

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Info

#4119 chartered February 1, 1916.
Sponsored by Rotary International.
Active Membership: 269

Meetings

Wednesdays, 12:00 pm
Convention & Trade Center
801 Front Street
Columbus, GA 31901

Contact Info

P.O. Box 1138
Columbus, GA 31902
706.322.6232
rotarycolumbusga.org
office@rotarycolumbusga.org

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