If the Rotary motto “Service Above Self” had a face, it might very well resemble that of a mother. Long before we joined Rotary clubs, or engaged in service projects, or recited the Four-Way Test, we were already witnessing this philosophy in action—in kitchens, classrooms, hospital rooms, and late-night living rooms where moms quietly served without applause or recognition.
Rotary teaches us to lead with compassion, give generously, and put others’ needs before our own. Mothers have done this instinctively from the moment we drew our first breath.
Whether working full-time or staying home, whether parenting one child or many, mothers are often the first people to set aside their comfort, time, and dreams for the sake of others. They bandaged scraped knees, balanced tight budgets, and carried emotional burdens no one saw—all while making it look effortless.
It wasn’t about credit. It was about care.
Much like a Rotarian sees a community in need and takes action, mothers are constantly aware of the needs around them—physical, emotional, and spiritual. They anticipate, they listen, and they show up, day after day, even when they’re exhausted or overwhelmed. Their brand of service is intimate, consistent, and unconditional.
Rotary calls us to truth, fairness, goodwill, and better friendships. Sound familiar? Mothers taught us how to be honest, to share, to say sorry, and to treat others as we’d want to be treated—long before we ever walked into a club meeting. Their moral compass became ours. Their strength became our foundation.
For those whose mothers are no longer with us, we carry their legacy forward in every kind word, every act of generosity, every time we put others first. Whether they were nurturing and present, or flawed and complicated, their impact shaped who we are.
Some mothers did it perfectly. Others did it imperfectly but tried with all they had. And others, in their absence, inspired others to step into that maternal role. To all of them, we owe a debt of gratitude.
So, on this Mother’s Day, let us pause not only to say thank you—but to recognize that the most selfless acts of service we’ve ever known may not have come from a Rotary podium or global project, but from the heart of a woman who loved us more than herself.
She may not wear a Rotary pin. But make no mistake—she lived the Rotary motto.
Service above self. She defined it. And for that, we should honor all Mothers everyday not just on this Day, May 11th.
Thanks MOM!!
Bill McGregor
DG5020, 2024-2025
