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Colin Campbell nears four decades of community service
This is the first of a series of articles on members of the Cranbrook Sunrise Rotary Club.
By Dan Schellenberg
Local Rotary clubs are part of a worldwide organization called Rotary International that in its Welcome to Rotary statement on its website states: We are neighbours, community leaders and global citizens uniting for the common good. With you, we can accomplish even more.
Our first featured member is Colin Campbell of Guidance Planning Strategies, an independent wealth management firm in Cranbrook. Colin has been a member of Rotary for almost 39 years and is a chartered member of the Cranbrook Sunrise Rotary Club.
Each of the highlighted member articles will feature three questions for the member: What brought you to Rotary? What are your interests in Rotary? What keeps you in Rotary?
What brought you to Rotary
I have the good fortune of being the son of a Rotarian. My Dad was a charter member of the Beaver Valley Club located in Fruitvale. More importantly, I think is that as my dad was over 50 when I was born, we really never had much in common and as a result, several members of the Rotary Club became my mentors. They had a tremendous impact on my life.
Another person who was influential was Jimmy Vipond, who was married to my mom’s sister’s, sister-in- law, so not a direct relative, but always Uncle Jimmy to me. He told me when I was 19 that if I was ever asked to join a service club, I had to say yes, but that eventually I would be a Rotarian. Some years later after I had bought my first business, another mentor Fred Moffat, asked me to join Rotary and I said yes. That will be 39 years ago in 2017. It has been an incredible journey of service and one that I will cherish forever. I believe we are only served if we serve others and that is what Rotary is all about.
What are your interests in Rotary
Mainly community service. I much prefer to spend my time and energy doing something that will benefit our community. I have always been a fan of Youth Exchange (part of a Rotary International program), one of the best things Rotary has ever done. We still are involved and have hosted over 10 students over the years from different parts of the world. Many of them are still in touch regularly.
What keeps you in Rotary
Mostly fellowship; many of our friends are Rotarians. We socialize with our fellow members and enjoy their company. I can’t imagine not being able to go to breakfast with my best friends at least once a week.
Cranbrook Sunrise Rotary Club
