I'm A New Member

Though the author of this poem is unknown, the poem itself was included in the collection of Joe Caulder who amassed a huge library of information in an attempt to preserve the first 50 years of Rotary. He attributed the poem to the Rotary Club of New York. It was reprinted in the February 1977 edition of The Rotarian, and in countless club newsletters and websites since then. The four large volumes of Rotary history collected by Joe were prepared in the 1950's and 1960's so the poem predates that time. But as you can see, it is clearly timeless.

I'M A NEW MEMBER

"I see you at the meetings, but you never say hello.

You're busy all the time you're there with those you already know.

I sit amongst the fellows, yet I'm a lonesome guy.

The new fish are as strange as I; you old ones pass us by.

But darn it, you guys asked us in, and you talk of fellowship;

You could just step across the room but you've never made the trip.

Why can't you nod and say hello! or stop and shake my hand,

Then go and sit among your friends -now that I'd understand.

I'll be at your next meeting, perhaps a nice lunch to spend,

Do you think you could introduce yourself? I want to be a friend."