Dear Fellow Rotarians,
September is Basic Education and Literacy Month, and as I write this month’s message, my heart is filled with gratitude for the incredible work we do as a club in the areas of education, literacy, and scholarships.
From our sponsorship of the RYLA program to our partnership with College of Eastern Idaho (CEI), the work we do today will impact lives for generations to come. As someone who grew up in West Africa, I have seen firsthand the transformative power of education and literacy. I have witnessed how access to education can open doors, create opportunities, and change the trajectory of a person’s life.
Sometimes, a scholarship can be the defining line between a dream and a reality. What a privilege it is to be part of an organization that helps make those dreams possible.
This month, I would also like to ask each of us a different question:
What are you doing as a Rotarian to continue educating yourself?
Did you know that the amount of time many of us spend commuting to and from work over a lifetime is comparable to several years of formal education? If we are going to spend that time in our vehicles, why not use some of it to invest in ourselves?
Listen to an audiobook. Learn a new language. Listen to a podcast. Explore a subject you have always been curious about. Find something that educates you, challenges you, and adds value to your life.
I have personally seen how adopting this kind of attitude toward lifelong learning has tremendously blessed my life. Education should not end when we leave the classroom. It should be a lifelong journey.
Thank you all for everything you do for our club, our community, and the people we serve. I am deeply grateful for each of you. I love you all, and I think about you each day.
May we always have the strength, wisdom, and compassion to continue the good work we are doing—and may we never stop learning, growing, and finding ways to make a difference.
Yours in Rotary,
Eugene Engmann
President, Rotary Club of Idaho Falls
