Once again, it's time for our annual Career Shadow Day. Wednesday morning, several Edmond Rotarians will have high school students “shadow” them at their business. The students will then come with their hosts to our lunch meeting.

     Career Shadow Day gives students an up close and personal opportunity to observe what Rotarians actually do in their chosen occupation. It’s a great chance to see what a fire chief, an architect, a lawyer, a doctor, a financial planner, a newspaper publisher, and so many others do every day.

     Although I am not hosting a “shadow” this year, I will still be participating. Chris Burton is planning to visit my office Wednesday morning with his shadows, and will make a “fundraising appeal” for Rotary scholarship programs. Although he’s hoping to leave with a donation, he says if I don’t like his pitch I could always say no, which, as he puts it, “would be a teachable moment as well.”

     Any guesses as to the outcome???

      As you know, Rotary traditionally has had four avenues of service: Club Service, Vocational Service, Community Service and International Service. But did you know that, on April 28, 2010, representatives at the Council on Legislation approved the addition of a fifth avenue of service? It was a close vote – 263 to 250 – but the new, fifth avenue, called “New Generations,” joins the other four as the foundation of Rotary Club activity.

      According to the standard Rotary constitution, “New Generations Service, the fifth Avenue of Service, recognizes the positive change implemented by youth and young adults through leadership development activities, involvement in community and international service projects, and exchange programs that enrich and foster world peace and cultural understanding.”

      The Rotary Club of Edmond has engaged in “New Generations” service for many years. Our long-standing commitment to Career Shadow Day is a unique way the Rotary Club of Edmond supports all five avenues of service.

     Please welcome our Career Shadow Day students to the Rotary Club of Edmond.

Andy