Herman Dixon (left) and Tom Midkiff

December 23, 2008

"A lot of Rotary clubs give money for their projects," Herman Dixon told his Putnam club today. "Everyone is assessed $200 or $300 and that takes care of service projects for the year.

"While that may be good in some circumstances," he said, "its really good to get out there and get some dirt under your fingernails a little bit.

"That is where you can see the smiles on people's faces; when you know that you are really giving 'service above self.'

"It's really giving a part of yourself to give hope to someone else. Never lose sight of that!

"Keep working hard. Keep striving to do the things that have been done in this club since its beginning."

Dixon's eleven years in the local club represents only a part of his Rotary experience. In thirty-three years as a Rotarian, he has been active in fourteen different clubs in six states. He has taken on the labors of every local club office at least twice. He has been in breakfast clubs, and in dinner clubs. He once belonged to a 600-member club in South Carolina, one of six in the world, which met only twice a month.

He has been twice recognized in the Putnam club as a Paul Harris Fellow.

"I've never seen a more dedicated group of Rotarians than this club represents," Dixon told the Putnam group.

"You have a place in my heart," he said.

With a move in January to a new assignment with State Farm Insurance in the eastern panhandle, Dixon expects to continue community service in the 16th club of his Rotary career.