If 20 years ago, optimistic Rotarians had not theorized that it would be possible to eliminate polio from the planet, a thousand children per DAY would still be stricken with polio, instead of the 618 people TOTAL who have been afflicted to date in 2010.*
Helen Keller said, “Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.”
I am so proud to be part of an organization that has the hope and confidence to change the world. Participating in Rotary projects at home and abroad is optimism in action. Let us be thankful for the optimism that fuels our actions.
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* data current as of August 27, 2010. Check http://www.polioeradication.org/casecount.asp for today’s count!
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© Shawn Bird 2010. Free use within Rotary.
Shawn L. Bird 
Thanks so much for these inspiring words.
Thanks, Shawn. I’ve updated the data and will share this invocation with the Rotary Club of Kelowna on September 10, 2013.
Greetings to the Rotary Club of Kelowna! I was the first outbound exchange student with the Ok. Mission club.
Thank you so much for these words Shawn. I used this invocation at the Rotary Club Of New Westminster on May 8th 2014 right after the WHO declared the fight against Polio an International public health emergency.
Best Regards.
Wayne Corlett.
Glad to oblige, Wayne. Thanks for stopping in.