Rotarians from Marietta AM, Marietta Noon and Belpre clubs recite the values which Rotarians share in service above self Thursday at a joint evening event at the Lafayette Hotel. (Photo by Janelle Patterson)

Service above self, that’s the common theme, the motto which brought together three separate Rotary clubs of Washington County Thursday night.

“This is the first time I can remember, and I’ve been in the club for a couple decades, that all three clubs have gotten together for an event,” shared Jacky Miner, a member of the Marietta Noon Rotary Club.

She was gracefully moving about the Lafayette Hotel’s ballroom, making introductions among members of the noon club, the Marietta AM club and the Belpre Rotarians all gathered to hear from the service organization’s regional governor.

She made introductions to Larry Arnold, president of the Belpre Rotary Club, before heading off once again to shake hands, smile and invite common understanding between individuals present.

“You know, we’re all here for the same cause, and when you get a project that you can all raise money for together and for a common goal, this feels good,” said Arnold. “I now see this (gathering) and I think I want to combine forces again.”

Jim Wharff, right, addresses a gathering of Belpre, Marietta AM and Marietta Noon Rotarians Thursday in the Lafayette Ballroom. (Photo by Janelle Patterson)

Combining forces, under the year’s mission to fight the final battle to eradicate polio, is what the service organization’s District Governor Craig Maxey was in town for Thursday night.

He said in 1984 Rotarians made a pledge to the world to eradicate polio.

“When I graduated high school in 1988 there were 40 new cases of polio diagnosed around the world per hour, that was 350,000 cases that year,” he said. “But now we are so close, and yet this is truly the hardest part. Polio is only left in three nations, and yet is the most expensive, most imperative final stand.”

Laura Miller, noon Rotary president, and Shannon Thompson, morning Rotary president, said the focus of Maxey had even inspired a little competition last fall between the two Marietta clubs to raise funds to help in the eradication effort.

“The competition was in good fun, but tonight is definitely reminding us that you’re a part of something bigger,” said Miller. “Yes, we may see the club’s role in local service but we’re also a part of something even bigger than we can comprehend on our own, in our own clubs.”

Thompson shared the same sentiments.

“We’re all members of Rotary International so there isn’t any reason we shouldn’t be working together,” she added. “Not only is Rotary a great place for networking, but it’s for a good cause that we work together in.”

Miner also appreciated learning about the more local causes each club works in throughout each year, from the more well-known annual projects like Safetytown, to the scholarships, sponsorships and partnerships in education each club quietly champions.

“This year we’re putting benches in Howes Grove Park,” noted Arnold. “But we’ve also replaced the science lab at Belpre High School, we’ve sponsored library books at Little Hocking and Belpre elementaries and even bought dictionaries.”

The group gathered enjoyed a dinner, light roasting among clubs and members, and rededicated themselves to their monetary support of the eradication of polio.

But they did it as a greater community of Rotarians, leaving unified while still valuing the place of individual clubs.