Bill Gates made honorary member of Seattle club

Rotary International News -- 11 March 2009

William Gates Sr., center, helps fasten a Rotary pin to his son's lapel during the Rotary Club of Seattle's centennial celebration. Also pictured is Seattle club president Nancy Sclater. The club made the younger Gates an honorary member, joining his dad, who is already an honorary member. Photo courtesy of Mike Urban

Rotary International on Facebook

Bill Gates, cochair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, was made an honorary member of the Rotary Club of Seattle during the club's centennial celebration 5 March.

More than 1,000 Rotarians and community leaders attended the event, held at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center, to pay tribute to the club's 100 years of service. Gates, Microsoft cofounder and chair, delivered the keynote address.

"As Rotary spread across the globe, so did the principle of Service Above Self," he said. "Rotary provides the infrastructure for scaling up one of the best ideas that human beings ever had: that helping others is not just a duty -- it's fun and rewarding."

William Gates Sr., also an honorary member of the Seattle club and Gates Foundation cochair, attended the event and helped fasten a Rotary pin to his son's lapel.

Earlier this year, Bill Gates attended Rotary's International Assembly in San Diego, California, to announce a new grant of $255 million from the Gates Foundation to support Rotary's efforts to eradicate polio. That amount came in addition to the $100 million Gates Foundation challenge grant awarded to Rotary in 2007. The total matching effort in response is called Rotary's US$200 Million Challenge, which must be completed by 30 June 2012. Together, Rotary and the Gates Foundation have committed $555 million in the fight to end polio.

Seattle club president Nancy Sclater said the club has fully embraced Rotary's efforts to eradicate the disease.

"We absolutely must finish ensuring that polio never affects anyone again," she said.

Sclater also looked ahead to the club's second century of service. Its centennial project will create a support center for homeless families at a cost of $4.2 million.

The Seattle club is Rotary's fourth oldest and one of its largest, with nearly 700 members. During its 100 years, the club has raised millions of dollars to help support the visual and performing arts, enhance educational opportunities for youth, improve outdoor and recreational environments, provide food for the underprivileged, and distribute aid to the homeless and people with disabilities.

32 Comments:

At 11:49AM on 4 January 2012, Rttn. George Spencer Wambiya wrote: What a philanthropic gesture of International Standards Rotarians, Keep the Candle burning the GATES!!!

At 9:22AM on 15 December 2010, Rtn. Teopista Nakyanzi wrote: May the Good Lord Reward his hands for the good work well done

At 9:09AM on 5 March 2010, rtn umarani vellore wrote: Congratulations RC Seatle for doing such great work a 100 years and taking into your fold such wonderful Rotarians in close cirlces.

At 8:52AM on 23 July 2009, Dr. Shahid Kamal Malik wrote: Bill Gates contribution in eradicating Polio are commendable. He is doing humanitarian services in Asia, Africa and where ever needed. Rotary International must be proud to have him on Rotary's Plateform

At 9:26AM on 13 April 2009, Rajkumar V wrote: Congrats Seattle Club on your 100 years of service and what a great honor to have Bill Gates join as Hony member. What better publicity does Rotary need than having one of the shrewdest businessman of the century believe in our mission to end polio and commit $550 million!

At 10:00AM on 7 April 2009, RCT. JEREMIAH TUMWESIGYE -KABAROLE-UGANDA wrote: It is amazing to grow up in witness of Men of good stature, for Gates, its more than honor and for Seattle; you have prepared a table for sacrifice where Men of giving hearts pledge to give hope to many. I have pledged to use every gift of my hand to lift mankind but 'the Gates' have showed me its most practical side. "It takes humanity to save humanity". The gates have lit a flame of generosity in the hearts of a generation and we shall never distance ourselves from the dream, time will bear us witness!!!

At 9:55AM on 31 March 2009, RTN. NASEERU BABA RID 9125 NIGERIA wrote: THE ''GATES'' CAURAGEOUS CONTRIBUTION IS A GATEWAY OF HOPES,ENCOURAGEMENTS,AND SOURCE OF HAPPINESS TO NOT ONLY PLACES WITH THE SCOURGE OF POLIO,BUT WILL ALSO SERVES AS THE GREATEST EXAMPLE OF SEFLESS SERVICE TO HUMANITY........

At 9:16AM on 30 March 2009, PP.Ayoub,Heliopolis,Egypt wrote: History will remember Bill Gates and many other gates' who made this dream of humanity to eradicate Polio, come true. We need many gates to literacy and clean water, and we can DO it.

At 9:08AM on 24 March 2009, Myriam Aldunate wrote: His example, is the best actitude to be imitated for others. Thanks Bill Gates. How can I do to make possible the "give $5" in my Country. Myriam RC.SAN BERNARDO District 4340 Santiago-Chile

At 10:06AM on 18 March 2009, Brendan Hyde wrote: The "Gates" have opened and freed people from the scurge of Polio .

At 5:19PM on 17 March 2009, AGWU JOHNSON-RC of Owerri D-9140 wrote: God will bless and reward the Gates a millionfold

At 9:26AM on 17 March 2009, Rtn.Mubasher President RC Faisalabd City -Pakistan wrote: we appreciate your efforts to end polio from worldwide. now you also part of Rotary family now. great . we welcome you

At 9:27AM on 17 March 2009, RTN. SYED AZMATULLAH RC: CHENNAI PHOENIX RD: 3230 wrote: Bill Gates’ keynote address at the centennial celebration of Rotary Club of Seattle on 5 March ’09: "As Rotary spread across the globe, so did the principle of 'Service Above Self'. . . Rotary provides the infrastructure for scaling up one of the best ideas that human beings ever had: that helping others is not just a duty -- it's fun and rewarding", rekindles the spirit of service in Rotarians. The Seattle club which is Rotary's fourth oldest and one of its largest with nearly 700 members, should be proud to have both William Gates and his son Bill Gates as Honorary Members.

At 9:28AM on 17 March 2009, SENTHIL KUMAR.S wrote: CONGRATULATION TO R.C.SEATLE

At 9:28AM on 17 March 2009, Mohammad Ali, DG 1270, England wrote: Thank you Mr. Gates for your gift. This is a very appropriate use of a "Honorary Membership". I am sure Mr. Gates has received many honours but this one comes from the heart of 1.2 million like minded Rotarians.

At 9:29AM on 17 March 2009, PP. C' Mai West 3360 Dr. Anusorn Kunanusorn wrote: Congratulations to Bill Gates and RC of Seattle WA, your pure heart and voluntary spirit can save the World.

At 9:29AM on 17 March 2009, Mary J O'Hara wrote: Whether it be a big or small donation, the Gates family is an excellent example of the generosity of Americans.

At 9:28AM on 17 March 2009, Rtn David Tai wrote: The generosity of one man has helped to eradicate POLIO from the face of this earth. If only there are more individuals like Bill who has a philantropic heart of giving instead of greed.

At 9:27AM on 16 March 2009, Bello Kehinde wrote: Thanks Bill

At 9:27AM on 16 March 2009, Godfrey Lodik wrote: Wow! Polio will be history as smallpox

At 9:26AM on 16 March 2009, bishwa dhakal wrote: Rc Seattle club and Rotary movement as well are fortunate .

At 9:26AM on 16 March 2009, Rtn Dwiyoga wrote: Amazing.......???? What Next.... !!!

At 9:24AM on 16 March 2009, Brendan Porter wrote: I was in San Diego when Mr Gates donated the additional $255 million USD. The generosity of the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation reflects "Service above Self." Mr Gates please wear your pin with pride it says a lot about your humanity. BrendanPorter

At 9:19AM on 16 March 2009, sundararajan wrote: Great people always receives blessings from great personalities like Gates. You have done a wonderful job of making him as a honorary members. We, the Rotarians, are going to meet all the challanges. Thanks to your club and to Bill Gates. Rtn.R. Sundararajan Secretary RC of Nanganallur Dist 3230

At 9:15AM on 16 March 2009, balachandran, rc of quilon east wrote: Wonderful.

At 9:15AM on 16 March 2009, Eric Chang wrote: Bill Gates sets a great example in helping people most in need.

At 9:15AM on 16 March 2009, PDG Shakil Ansari Dist 3270 wrote: What a great Humanitarian. Congratulations to R.C Seatle to have him as Hon.Member

At 9:14AM on 16 March 2009, Rtn. PP Sk. Abdul Hadi, RC Khulna North, RID-3280 wrote: How very nice to hear the news!

At 9:14AM on 16 March 2009, Rtn.PHF.R.Periyasamy wrote: excellent work. we pray the ALMIGHTY to give all STRENGTH to this GREAT MAN TO SERVE THE HUMANITY.

At 11:46AM on 13 March 2009, PDG RUSS DAGGETT wrote: Its time!!

At 9:46AM on 13 March 2009, Manikandan wrote: Wow superb

At 12:17PM on 12 March 2009, Chris Clayton wrote: What a generous guy!

Add a comment

Your name * Your email * (non-public) Your comment * * indicates a required field

Every Rotarian, Every Year
Make your annual gift today

End Polio Now
Help Rotary meet the challenge

2013 RI Convention
Register early and save