Great photos help tell the story of Rotary.

A strong image can show fellowship, service, leadership, and community impact in a way that a paragraph sometimes cannot. You do not need an expensive camera or professional photography experience to improve your club’s pictures. In most cases, a smartphone and a little intention are enough.

Capture the Action

The strongest Rotary photos often happen in the middle of the moment, not after everyone stops to pose.

Look for action that shows members actively serving, connecting, and engaging with the community:

• Serving meals
• Packing boxes or donations
• Working side by side on a service project
• Presenting an award or scholarship
• Talking with students or community partners
• Building, cleaning, planting, or preparing supplies
• Laughing and interacting during a club event

Try to photograph the moment while it is happening. Action shots add energy, emotion, and context, helping people immediately see what Rotary members are actually doing and why the work matters.

Photo Credit: Seth Block Studios 

At our latest Rotary Club of The Original Mile meeting, we had the opportunity to recognize Carol Jane Thompson and the impact she has made through the creation and moderation of the I ❤️ Midwest City Facebook Group. What began as an online community has grown into a place where neighbors can connect, share information, ask questions, support local businesses, and stay engaged with what's happening throughout Midwest City. It started with one person (Carol), and has grown to approximately 20,000 members. It has become one of (if not) the most active Facebook Groups in the city.

Rotary may bring us together through a shared commitment to Service Above Self, but some of its greatest rewards are the friendships we build along the way. We come from different professions, backgrounds, generations, and communities, yet service gives us common ground. Somewhere between meetings, projects, fundraisers, and conversations, acquaintances often become genuine friends.

We had a fantastic evening at Arrowhead Archery Pro Shop, where approximately 20 members and guests came together for an evening of fellowship, learning, and fun.

A special thank you to Anita Keith from Midwest City High School for sharing valuable insights on helping students successfully transition from high school to the workforce, trade school, military service, or college. Her presentation sparked meaningful conversation about preparing young people for the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.

The 12 Best Books to Learn About Rotary History

If you really want to understand Rotary, there is no substitute for reading the people who built the organization. While Rotary has produced thousands of publications over the past 120 years, a handful of books stand above the rest. These works tell the story of Rotary's founders, its traditions, its global expansion, and the principles that continue to shape millions of Rotarians today.

Here are twelve books every Rotarian should consider reading.

“Whatever Rotary may mean to us,
to the world it will be known by the
results it achieves.”

— Paul Harris, 1914

In a world filled with constant decisions, our character is often revealed not by the biggest moments, but by the countless small choices we make every day. Whether we're leading a business, serving our community, or navigating our personal relationships, having a clear ethical compass can help us build trust, strengthen relationships, and create lasting impact.

For more than 90 years, Rotarians around the world have looked to one simple yet powerful framework: The Four-Way Test. Originally created to help transform a struggling business, its timeless principles of truth, fairness, goodwill, and mutual benefit have inspired generations of leaders to make decisions with integrity. Its enduring strength lies in its simplicity. The Four-Way Test can guide everything from a conversation with a neighbor to a difficult business decision, challenging us to pause, reflect, and choose the path that benefits both ourselves and those around us.

When Paul Harris founded Rotary in 1905, he wasn't trying to create a club of people who all looked alike, thought alike, or worked in the same profession. Quite the opposite.

His own life had taken him down many different paths. Before becoming an attorney, Paul Harris worked as a newspaper reporter, business school teacher, stock company actor, cowboy, marble and granite salesman, fruit farm laborer, hotel clerk, and even a seaman crossing the Atlantic on cattle ships.

Each experience allowed him to meet people from different backgrounds, occupations, and cultures. He learned that every person has something valuable to contribute and that the strongest communities are built when people with different perspectives come together around a common purpose.

More than 120 years later, that same spirit is alive in the Rotary Club of the Original Mile.

When new members join Rotary, they're often handed a club brochure, introduced to fellow members, and invited to participate in service projects. While those experiences are important, there is one document that many Rotarians never open. Yet it explains how Rotary operates around the world.

That document is the Rotary Manual of Procedure.

For many members, the title sounds intimidating. It brings to mind legal language, rules, and bureaucracy. In reality, it is one of the most valuable resources Rotary International publishes because it answers a simple question:

How does Rotary actually work?

What Is the Rotary Manual of Procedure?

The Rotary Manual of Procedure is the official governance guide published by Rotary International. It compiles the policies, constitutional documents, and procedures that govern Rotary clubs, districts, and Rotary International itself.

Rather than requiring members to search through multiple governing documents, Rotary consolidates them into a single reference.

The Manual includes information such as:

• Rotary's constitutional documents
• The Rotary International Constitution
• The Rotary International Bylaws
• The Standard Rotary Club Constitution
• Recommended Rotary Club Bylaws
• Rotary policies adopted by the Board of Directors
• Council on Legislation decisions
• Responsibilities of club, district, and international leaders
• Membership policies
• Club administration
• Governance procedures
• Ethical expectations
• Financial oversight
• Elections and voting procedures

In short, it explains how Rotary is structured and why it functions the way it does.

If you've attended more than one Rotary club, you've probably noticed that no two meetings are exactly alike.

One club begins with the Pledge of Allegiance. Another starts with a moment of reflection. Some sing songs. Others share Happy Bucks, conduct Sergeant-at-Arms fines, or exchange banners with visiting clubs. Meanwhile, another Rotary club may skip all of those traditions and focus entirely on fellowship and service.

That often leads to an important question:

Are these traditions required?

The answer is no - most Rotary traditions are customs, not requirements.

Rotary International has intentionally given clubs significant flexibility, particularly in recent years, allowing each club to reflect the needs and culture of its community while remaining true to Rotary's mission of service.

The Difference Between Tradition and Requirement

Over more than 120 years, Rotary has developed many traditions that have become familiar to members around the world. While these practices have value, most are optional rather than mandated by Rotary International.

Why Midwest City Matters

A Community Built on Service, Opportunity, and Connection

Every community has a story. Midwest City's story is one of resilience, growth, and neighbors coming together to build something better for the next generation. From its beginnings alongside Tinker Air Force Base to the thriving community it is today, Midwest City has always been defined by people who are willing to serve, volunteer, and invest in the place they call home.

At the Rotary Club of the Original Mile, we believe that understanding our community is the first step toward strengthening it. That is why our mission extends beyond weekly meetings. We are committed to creating meaningful opportunities for service, leadership, and lasting community impact throughout Midwest City.

A City Built on Purpose

Founded during World War II to support the development of Tinker Air Force Base, Midwest City quickly became one of Oklahoma's most important communities. Families, military personnel, educators, entrepreneurs, and skilled professionals came together to build neighborhoods, schools, churches, and businesses that would shape the city's future for generations.

Today, Midwest City continues to honor that legacy while embracing growth and innovation. It remains one of Oklahoma's most diverse and welcoming communities, where longtime residents and newcomers alike work together to improve the quality of life for everyone.

Image credit: Raymond D. Woods, Jr., Flickr

A month ago, I accepted the role of President of the Rotary Club of the Original Mile with a vision, countless digital notes, and more confidence than experience.

I thought I had a pretty good idea of what the first month would look like.

I didn't. Not even close.

You can attend PETS, read the Rotary manuals, talk with past presidents, study the bylaws, and build strategic plans. Those things are valuable. They prepare you for running a club. They don't prepare you for leading people.

At the Rotary Club of the Original Mile, we believe that meaningful service begins long before a project is planned or a volunteer event is organized. It begins with character. While Rotary is known around the world for improving communities through service, scholarships, leadership, and humanitarian efforts, those accomplishments are possible because of the values every Rotarian is encouraged to live by each day.

The Rotarian Code of Conduct is more than a set of expectations for club members. It serves as a guide for how we conduct ourselves in our personal lives, our professions, and our interactions with one another. It reminds us that the way we serve is just as important as the service itself.

Integrity is the cornerstone of our club. We strive to be honest, ethical, and accountable in everything we do. Whether we are volunteering at a community event, leading a business, serving in public office, or simply helping a neighbor, our actions should reflect the trust that Rotary has earned over more than a century of service. Strong communities are built by people whose words and actions consistently align.

One of the most common concerns we hear from prospective members is that they simply don't have enough time.

"I'd love to join Rotary, but I just don't have the time."

If you've ever thought that, you're not alone. Between work, family, school activities, travel, and everything else life throws our way, it can feel impossible to commit to another organization. The good news is that Rotary isn't about filling your calendar. It's about making a difference in a way that fits your life.

Join the Rotary Club of the Original Mile on Tuesday, July 14, for our Officer Installation Ceremony and free Community Movie Night at the Midwest City Library. Meet local volunteers, learn about Rotary, enjoy The Peanut Butter Falcon, and discover how you can make a difference in Midwest City.

Discover volunteer opportunities in Midwest City through the Rotary Club of the Original Mile. Learn about leadership roles, community service projects, and how you can make a difference.

Every year, people search for ways to become more involved in their community.

Some are looking to volunteer. Others want to expand their professional network, meet new people, or find an organization where they can make a lasting impact.

If you've been searching for "Midwest City Rotary," you may be wondering one simple question:

Is Rotary right for me?

The answer surprises many people.

Rotary International is a worldwide organization that was founded in 1905 by Paul P. Harris in Chicago, Illinois. What began as a small group of professionals meeting to discuss shared interests and service to the community has grown into a global force for good, with over 1.2 million members in more than 200 countries and territories around the world.

Our mission is simple: “Service Above Self.” This means we prioritize making a positive impact on the world, focusing on helping others, fostering peace, and promoting goodwill across cultural and professional lines.