District Governor John Beckett (center) chats with Don Broyles (right), Putnam Rotary President. At left is Becky Beckett, District First Lady.

October 5, 2004

Putnam Rotarians today heard John Beckett, District 7550 Governor, challenge them to service projects with goals which are attainable and which have tangible substance.

"A computer may take the place of a huyndred workers," said Beckett, "but a thousand computers cannot take the place of the one-to-one care that a single person is able to give."

Too many people like to write a check and let someone else do the work, the Bluefield native told the group. What is needed is people willing to roll up the sleeves and join the work in the trenches.
Success is not always measured in numbers, he said. "Matewan has seventeen members in its club, and every member is a 'Paul Harris' sustaining member," said Beckett. "When something is needed in Matewan, Rotary makes it happen."

John Beckett (left) chats with Rotary President Don Broyles. A 'Paul Harris' sustaining member actively supports the Rotary International Foundation, the largest chariatible trust fund in the world. Beckett noted the large number of cooperative projects now underway, and cited the Camp High-Tor efforts. Putnam Rotary has joined with Parkline and the Tri-County YMCA to upgrade and maintain facilities at the former church camp on Poplar Fork. Putnam Rotary and Parkline are now building a new bathhouse at High-Tor. Rotary let the fight to eradicate polio, Beckett reminded the group. "We need now to make sure there are no pockets left where Polio might make a comeback." The District Governor, who leads some thirty-three local clubs in southern West Virginia, serves as Senior Vice President and Trust Officer at First Century Bank, N.A., Bluefield. More Putnam Rotary News? Click HERE.