The Rotary Club of Ridgewood AM

Why Rotary?

Welcome Friend,

The Rotary Club of Ridgewood A.M. was founded in December of 1987.  I am honored to serve as the twenty fourth President of our Club. I invite you on behalf of the men and women of our Club, to join in our proud tradition of service, both in our local communities and beyond.

I cannot say enough about our members.  We are a club rich in depth of character, intelligence, and compassion.  I remember my first Club meeting, where as a guest I was warmly welcomed.  I came through the door at what was then Trattoria Fratelli, joined our members for breakfast, and in many ways never left.

Rotary is unique among all service organizations in that it is structured around classification.  The classification survey is a structured process grouping members by vocation.  Within the philosophy of Rotary, every vocation has equal value.  Our Club numbers approximately sixty men and women. As of the last classification survey, our members were active in 38 separate vocational classifications such as Financial Advisor, Property Management, Attorney, and Educator.

We believe “It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.” Rotary International, our parent organization, provides more scholarships worldwide than any other organization. Each year, our Club awards three four-year scholarships, at $1,000 per year, to local high school seniors. We award an additional $1,000 scholarship per year, through the Joseph Sipporta Foundation, to a Paramus High School student.

We “Think globally, [and]act locally.” Within our footprint of Ridgewood, Glen Rock and Ho Ho Kus we distribute thousands of dictionaries annually to third graders. We clean and improve public spaces such as parks. Each year almost without exception we serve a meal at a local soup kitchen at holiday time. Internationally, since 1999 without interruption, we have supported Project Hope, an orphanage and school in Les Cayes, Haiti. Project Hope today houses 600 residents, and is providing education for 2,200 students.

We are a member Club of Rotary International. Founded in 1905, RI is the world’s first global village, spanning more than 200 countries and 33,000 clubs. In that village every citizen demonstrates high ethical standards in business and the professions. Every citizen views acquaintance as an opportunity for service. We support water purification projects, and enable access to health care for those in need. We work to diminish hunger in the world, and continue to dedicate significant resources toward polio eradication.

And while we are doing these things, and more, we have fun!   We plan group travel to sporting events, the theatre, and to scenic retreats such as Mohonk Mountain House. Our breakfast meetings are thought provoking, uplifting, and informative.

We consistently measure ourselves against the Four Way Test of anything we think, say or do:

1                    Is it the TRUTH?

2                    Is it FAIR to all concerned?

3                    Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?

4                    Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

If you would like to learn more about our Club please feel free to join us for a meeting.  We meet Thursday mornings from 7:30 A.M. to 8:30 A.M. sharp at Osteria La Fiamma restaurant in Ridgewood. And the first breakfast is on us.

Yours in Rotary,

Ron Widman

President 2011-2012