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Keeping the feeling forever
By Dan Schellenberg
Mark Pinnell, charter member of the Cranbrook Sunrise Rotary Club, founded in 1997, speaks passionately about his involvement in Rotary and the contribution one can make to worthy causes. Past president of the Sunrise Rotary Club, Mark said he first joined Rotary for the networking opportunities. “Since I was self-employed at the time, I thought joining Rotary world provide networking opportunities. After a while, I met lots of people and began to realize that the volunteer work was important too.”
Mark speaks fondly of the Sunrise Club’s efforts to build the fieldhouse at Moir Park, one of the larger projects undertaken by the club. “It was a big project and took about three years to complete. How could a handful of people initiate and complete such a big community project? That really stuck with me,” said Mark.
A number of those who attend and participate in Rotary, especially the long-time members, describe the day they became a Rotarian, which is a deeper way of feeling part of Rotary.
“The day I became a Rotarian was during the Moir Centennial Park’s dedication to Cranbrook. I stood overlooking the fieldhouse we built from the hill and watched my daughter being escorted onto the field by my best friend to open the park with O Canada. I will never forget this. She would not be standing there had we not built the fieldhouse,“ exclaimed Mark.
Rotary is an International organization, which contributes locally, regionally and internationally. On an international scale, Rotary is committed to eradicating polio from the planet, amongst other endeavours. Currently, only a few countries have people with polio, thanks to Rotary’s efforts in vaccinating people worldwide.
Mark experienced a real ‘eye opener’ while attending a Rotary club meeting in Las Vegas.
“I was treated like family, the same as if I had been at home.” The Las Vegas Rotary Club had invited members of nearby Nellis Air Force Base to a lunch meeting as a way of saying thank you for their contribution to society. Mark says he noticed how compassionate and ready to help these members of the military were.
The real ‘eye opener’ for Mark at the Las Vegas meeting was during a talk given by the president of the club. Mark says the president became emotional when he told of a story of bringing an eight-year-old boy to JC Penny’s in order that Rotary and JC Penny’s (both contributors to a Rotary cause) could provide much needed clothing for under privileged children.
“After most of the clothes were selected the president told the boy to go and pick out two shirts. At checkout, the president noticed that the two shirts were not of the same size and said to the boy, you made a mistake. The boy said, one’s for my brother. That’s what keeps us in Rotary, “Mark said.
Ironically, Mark said, “Sometimes I think I remain a Rotarian because I am selfish. The feeling you get being part of Rotary, you want to keep forever. It’s like a paradox.”
Mark’s message to anyone who is thinking of joining Rotary is: “If you want to touch the heart of Rotary, come join us!”
For more on Cranbrook Sunrise Rotary Club
Lead image: Mark Pinnell, centre, poses with Masayuki (Masa) and Lucy Tsuzuki who were members of the Group Friendship Exchange attending the District 5080 conference in Colville, Washington. Following the Conference, Masa and Lucy spent the weekend in Cranbrook with Mark and Lee, taking in the Sam Steele weekend activities and enjoying a guided tour of Cranbrook with their gracious hosts. Photo by Bill Gibbon/Cranbrook Sunrise Rotary Club
