What we do with those who share common interests
Rotary Fellowship groups
As well as working on projects to serve the community, involvement in Rotary also offers the opportunity to spend time with those who share a common passion. One of our members is a keen skier, and offers the following thoughts on a recent trip with the International Fellowship of Skiing Rotarians:
On 24th January I travelled to Sun Valley,Idaho, in the USA for a week’s skiing with the International Fellowship of Skiing Rotarians(ISFR)! A long way to go, you might say! What is the attraction?
Well, ISFR is one of the many vocational fellowships with membership around the world. And I have been a member of this North American branch - with skiers mainly from the US and Canada, but other countries besides, including Australia - since 1997, gone on their regular annual trips in North America to resorts I had never heard of since 1999, and a Board member since about 2001!So what is the attraction? At least four or even five fold!
The brilliant locations, with guaranteed well groomed snow for an excellent ski week
Meeting up again with so many Rotarian friends who like me come year-on -year
Meeting fellow Rotarians from the Rotary clubs in the resorts with joint Rotary meetings, guiding on the mountains, and wonderful home hospitality in their homes- new friendships are made
Being inspired by the adaptive ski programmes they - and we - support
And raising $000s during the week, particularly through the auctions at the gala dinner - pity help you if your table fails to bid in the wonderful dessert auction!
This year was so enjoyable, great to meet people again, and we raised about $17,000 to add to our own Davis Boyd Foundation, to enable this year to give back to the adaptive ski programme, Higher Ground, which is particularly proud of its work with veterans and their families.
I seem to be the only ISFR member from the UK! If you look at our website and our Facebook page, you will see we have a great time, but also give back to help others who wish to ski and want the extra support so that their lives are enhanced beyond what was thought possible.
See: www.isfrski.org Or Facebook - International Fellowship of Skiing Rotarians
Margaret Hutchinson
PS Hope you like the badge!
