Rotary Club celebrates 90 years

Tyler Martineau
Posted 11/11/21

Things tend to change over the course of 90 years,

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Rotary Club celebrates 90 years

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TORRINGTON – Things tend to change over the course of 90 years, but The Torrington Rotary Club has always stay true to its main purpose. 

Changes have been made to the Rotary Club throughout the years alongside the everlasting values of the organization. 

President of the Torrington Rotary Club Brett Malm said members adopt the motto of “service above self” and are encouraged to give back to the community in any way they can. 

“The purpose of the club is to connect people who then work together to solve community problems, provide humanitarian aid, and promote goodwill and peace,” Malm said. 

The core beliefs of the club, which stem from an organization with roots all over the world, have been around since the establishment of Rotary when irradicating Polio was the main concern. 

The way each club ensures they are following the ideals of Rotary is to abide by the questions of the “4-way test” which is: 

• Is it the truth

• Is it fair to all concerned?

•Will it build goodwill and better friendships

•Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

 Wayne Gentry, who has been a Rotarian for 45 years, says it is recited at the beginning of each meeting. 

“It’s just something that they developed. [They] just want to be ethical and follow those standards,” Gentry said. 

Malm stated the 4-way Test is the cornerstone of Rotary. 

“Its four brief questions are not based on culture or religion. Instead, they are a simple checklist for ethical behavior of the things we think, say or do,” Malm said. 

For Gentry, the biggest change he has seen in the club has been an increase in inclusivity. Not only were women only allowed to be Rotary Ann’s and not actual Rotarians when he first started, but there was also a limit to one person of each profession or business.

“They really opened up the classification to try to really grow Rotary,” Gentry said. “Now there’s more than one person for many classifications.” 

Gentry added the inclusion of women to the club was also a major benefit. 

“Another wonderful thing Rotary International did was allow women into the club. That’s the best thing that’s helped out the club,” Gentry said. 

In terms of current acts of service for the community, Malm said his main focus as president has been on disadvantaged youth in Goshen County. One way the club is helping is by selling signs in support of first responders to help the police department with funding the new youth alternatives program. 

Gentry said the signs are $20 apiece and all the proceeds go straight to the funds for the program. 

The biggest event for the club each year is the annual wine tasting and silent auction which the proceeds are used to help a variety of the projects in the community. 

According to Malm, some of the projects include The Goshen County Library, St. Joseph’s Children’s Home, Torrington Police Department, WyoHelp, highway clean-up, scholarships and recognition of students of the month in Goshen County Schools, supplying dictionaries for students, working/partnering with The City of Torrington on the walking/biking trail, and raising money and awareness of residents impacted by Alzheimer’s and Dementia. 

After 90 years, the goal for the Torrington Rotary Club continues to be helping the community. 

“I just feel it’s important to give back to the community in some way,” Gentry said.