I have many memorable moments of which I am humbled, honored, and proud. I was taught from a young age by my parents that volunteering your time to support a cause you are passionate about is something you will never regret. It has enriched my life, familiarized me with my community, and connected me to people and ideas that positively impacted my perspective for the rest of my life. Helping my community has been an opportunity for me to grow as a person, and to better understand how I fit into the world around me. After all, we are here on this planet to serve and help each other in times of need. I took an oath over 32+ years ago to serve my community for a lifetime when I was chosen as one of the first women worldwide to be part of the Rotary.
Women are now active participants in Rotary, serving their communities in increasing numbers and serving in leadership positions in Rotary. The 1989 Council on Legislation vote to admit women into Rotary clubs worldwide remains a moment in the history of Rotary. Rotary has adapted itself to a changing world. The world of 1905 when Rotary started is very different from the world of 1989, when women were admitted.
I was sworn in and promised to follow our motto "Service Above Self" along with 1.4 million illustrious chosen members such as Prince Charles, Margaret Thatcher, Prince Rainier, Pope Francis, and Angela Merkel to name a few. As Rotarians, we are dedicated to providing humanitarian service, encouraging high ethical standards, and helping to build goodwill and peace in the world. I am humbled and honored to call my community the Rotary Club Jumeirah.
Why is it important to find a cause you love and volunteer your time? Spending time enriching your community is a great way to broaden your perceptions of the world. By immersing yourself in a community and surrounding yourself with people dedicated to bettering the world, you can learn so much about how the world works. You gain a unique sense of purpose by serving those around you, one which often manifests itself in other areas of your life.
Of course, it's also important for a community! Without volunteers, many of the services and events we enjoy in our communities would not be so readily available. Spending time helping at local shelters or food banks during Ramadan provides an important service to less fortunate neighbors. Giving back to the place you call home helps to unite the community and bridge some of the social, economic, and political gaps.
There are so many important causes out there that always need volunteers to support the work they're doing. Whether you're passionate about advocacy, animal rights, or helping the homeless, you can find a valuable way to donate your time. Many towns and cities have community centers, which can be a great place to find opportunities to give back to the place you call home. Even if you only donate a few hours each month, you will be making a huge difference in the lives of others.
