John Germ, a dedicated member of Rotary since 1976 and former President of Rotary International, shares his fascinating journey from selling turnip greens to leading global initiatives. He recounts his near brushes with destiny while in the Air Force and highlights the significance of genuine community engagement. Germ also discusses Rotary's successful $247 million fundraising campaign for polio eradication and the transformative power of education and civic involvement in shaping leaders. His stories inspire a legacy of service and dedication.
Community service cultivates responsibility and can enhance both community well-being and individual prosperity through selfless contributions.
Education is crucial for self-sufficiency and career success, with practical skills training providing confidence and meaningful societal contribution.
Deep dives
The Importance of Community Service
Serving others significantly contributes to the betterment of communities. Individuals possess unique talents that can be utilized to enhance the quality of life for their neighbors and future generations. Engaging in community service fosters a sense of responsibility and ownership towards creating a positive environment. By making selfless contributions, not only does the community flourish, but individual prosperity often follows suit.
Overcoming Challenges Through Determination
Determination played a crucial role in the achievements of individuals dedicated to community projects. For instance, the initiative to create affordable housing for retired teachers stemmed from a recognition of their financial struggles, proving that overcoming obstacles is possible with the right mindset and resources. This commitment to addressing local needs is exemplified by the successful construction of the JC Towers, which serves as a testament to the impact of persistence and community collaboration. The spirit of resilience transforms challenges into opportunities for growth and improvement.
The Value of Education and Trade Skills
Education is underlined as a cornerstone for ensuring self-sufficiency and career success. The speaker reflects on a personal history where a practical education focused on trade skills led to a fulfilling career in engineering. By emphasizing the importance of learning a skill that can support a family, the speaker highlights that hands-on experiences and vocational training often yield tangible benefits. This foundation builds not only professional deliverables but also confidence in one's ability to contribute meaningfully to society.
Civic Engagement as a Leadership Development Tool
Civic participation serves as a primary venue for cultivating leadership skills. Historical organizations like the JCs provided platforms for young professionals to gain hands-on experience that led to impactful community projects. These initiatives taught members the significance of collaboration and the need for active involvement in local governance to effect change. Strong leadership in community-oriented organizations enables a lasting legacy of service, creating robust networks of engaged citizens ready to tackle current and future challenges.
If anyone knows about “Service Above Self,” it’s John Germ. He’s been a member of Rotary since 1976 and was the President of Rotary International in 2016, which governs over 46,000 clubs around the world. Not to mention he was a member of the JCs and on many board rosters.
Professionally, John was the CEO and Board Chair for Campbell & Associates, an engineering firm.
In this episode, we discuss John’s career path which included selling turnip greens and fatback, plotting Hwy153, his close brush with fate, twice, while in the Air Force, and much more.