Inductees share a desire to give back

Bob Selinger (middle left), with family members, was inducted into the Arch C. Klumph Society on 26 October at RI World Headquarters in Evanston, Illinois, USA. Rotary Images

 

 

Fifteen years after becoming a Rotarian in 1971, Bob Selinger was seriously injured in an industrial accident and had to use a wheelchair.

Every day for a year, Rotarians drove Selinger to physical therapy. He eventually recovered and was able to leave the wheelchair behind. But the generosity of his Rotarian friends left a lasting impression on him, and a strong desire to give back.

Selinger, a member of the Rotary Club of Newport-Irvine, California, and his wife, Jean, who died in 2005, were among several couples from the United States inducted into the Arch C. Klumph Society in late October at RI World Headquarters in Evanston, Illinois. The society honors people who give at least $250,000 to The Rotary Foundation.

"You couldn't ask for a more giving or loving organization," says Selinger, who was inducted during a ceremony on 26 October. "I want to show how much I care about Rotary and the Foundation."

The Selingers hosted more than 25 Rotary Youth Exchange students and supported the Annual Programs Fund, Permanent Fund, PolioPlus, and the Humanitarian Grants Program. Selinger says he made his recent contributions to the Foundation in memory of his wife.

Selinger served as a district Youth Exchange officer and executive director of his regional Youth Exchange organization, and is a 2008-09 recipient of the RI Service Above Self Award.

William W. and Jean Wilson

Bill Wilson, a member of the Rotary Club of Greater Statesville, North Carolina, and past governor of District 7680, was inducted into the society with his wife, Jean, during a ceremony 26 October. The Wilsons support the Rotary Centers for International Studies in peace and conflict resolution and have established an endowed fund to underwrite Rotary Peace Fellowships in perpetuity.

A former officer of the U.S. Army and part owner of the G.L. Wilson Building Company, Wilson says that by giving to the Foundation, he is saying yes to a better world.

Wilson represented his district at the 2003 Presidential Peace Conference in Panama. The same year, his club honored him with the District Distinguished Rotarian Award.

Jack and Vivian M. Harig

Jack Harig, a Rotarian for four decades and a member of the Rotary Club of Akron, Ohio, was inducted into the society with his wife, Vivian, during a ceremony on 29 October. Harig says giving to the Foundation allows Rotarians to do extraordinary things worldwide that they normally couldn't do themselves.

A past governor of District 6630, Harig is a leader in the real estate industry and a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers and the Midwest Global Trade Association. He and his wife are dedicated to the Akron Rotary Camp for Children with Special Needs. They also are longtime supporters of the Foundation's Annual Programs Fund and Permanent Fund.

Anne and Christopher Lewis

Anne Lewis, a member of the Rotary Club of Rockport, Massachusetts, and her husband, Christopher, were inducted into the society during a ceremony 29 October. The couple share a commitment to community involvement, but Lewis says Rotary's ability to extend service beyond the community is what strikes her about the organization.

"Rotary is wonderful because of the many levels in which you can get involved," she says. "Rotarians can foster relationships locally and internationally, which only better promotes world understanding."

Lewis, a veterinarian, established two feline-only hospitals in Cape Ann. She has been a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association for 29 years.

She and her husband support the Permanent Fund. The spendable earnings from their contributions to Rotary's endowment will provide maximum flexibility to the Foundation by supporting the World Fund.

Read about more recent inductees into the Arch C. Klumph Society.