A passport to Rotary

Posted on July 25, 2013 by Rotary International

Misha Garafalo created passports for her club members to fill with “visa” stamps of their service activities.

By Misha Garafalo, president of the Rotary Club of Shorewood, Illinois, USA

As a former Rotary Youth Exchange student to Sweden more than a quarter century ago, one of my fondest possessions is my beloved passport filled with sought-after stamps from countries I visited so long ago.

Although I haven’t had the opportunity to travel internationally in many years, every now and again, I would come across the passport, flip through the pages, and reminisce about the sights, smells, and sounds which stirred my global awareness, curiosity, and perspective.

When I became president of my club this year, the only African-American club president in Will County, Illinois, USA, I decided to incorporate the theme with my love of that impactful experience by creating Rotary-themed passports.

At my installation ceremony, each member received a “Passport To Rotary.” The “visa” on the inside had to be signed by me and the member as an understanding of their commitment to care. Subsequent stamps would be provided to help them engage Rotary through specific activities and projects within the club, community, district, and beyond.

At the end of my term, I will personally award Rotarians who have filled their passports with service and, hopefully, memories of how they changed lives.

Learn more about Rotary Youth Exchange
Download the Youth Exchange Handbook to learn more about how your club or district can get involved in a youth exchange

35 thoughts on “A passport to Rotary”

Edith Nalani Flinn on August 2, 2013 at 15:21 said:

Aloha from Hawaii! I would like to get a sample of your passport when it becomes available. Great idea. Mahalo, Nalani Flinn. Waianae Coast Rotary Club

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- Misha Garafalo on August 5, 2013 at 11:26 said:
  
  Aloha, Edith! 🙂
  
  We will actually have something on the website very soon; the Club had a very busy fundraising weekend at our community’s huge festival – Thanks for the interest and support!
  
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Lucille Cozier on August 2, 2013 at 12:34 said:

Misha your idea is inspirational and I’d love to try it to wake up our small and tired club in the Caribbean. I’ve noted your site and that you will put the passport there soon. I’ll keep checking for it and thanks for sharing. Cheers

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- Misha Garafalo on August 2, 2013 at 12:54 said:
  
  Lucille,
  
  Thank you for the wonderful and encouraging compliment! 🙂
  
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John E. Sekaggya on July 29, 2013 at 06:25 said:

This is a wonderful idea of engaging Rotarians. Can you please send me a soft copy of the ideas and the passport. It is worth emulating.

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- Misha Garafalo on July 29, 2013 at 20:06 said:
  
  John, we are in the process of coming up with something to share soon; please stay posted – Thanks! 🙂
  
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Cindy Larsen on July 28, 2013 at 11:52 said:

Please send an electronic copy of this passport. We would love to do something like this in Uganda.

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- Misha Garafalo on July 29, 2013 at 20:08 said:
  
  Cindy, greetings from Illinois; we are in the process of coming up with something to share soon; please stay posted – Thanks! 🙂
  
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  - Jenny Fisher on November 29, 2013 at 12:28 said:
    
    Hi Misha
    I commented when you first brought out this concept., but would like to ask if you are now in a position to let me have more details on how this works and to let me have a sample so that I can look at it and see if I can use it in my club.
    Hope you are keeping well and enjoying your year
    Yours in Rotary
    Jenny Fi
    
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  - Rotary Club Of Shorewood on December 2, 2013 at 06:31 said:
    
    Jenny,
    
    Please forgive the delay; feel free to call me directly at 312.672.2506 (cell), and I’ll be happy to verbally discuss the details – Thanks! 🙂
    
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Sandra Bosin on July 27, 2013 at 12:38 said:

This is an awesome idea! Please are you willing to share a copy. I am just in the beginning of organizating a Rotaract club. We can use something like this.
Yours In Rotary,
Sandy bosin, AG

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- Misha Garafalo on July 29, 2013 at 20:09 said:
  
  Sandy, we are in the process of coming up with something to share soon; please stay posted – Thanks! 🙂
  
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Colens pierre on July 27, 2013 at 11:50 said:

that an goog idea How can you give an opportunity to an interactian to have his own passport

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Jenny isher on July 27, 2013 at 08:39 said:

As President Elect for 2014 – 2015, I am already looking for ways and means to rejuvenate our club and this sounds a fantastic way of doing so. Would you mind sharing the idea with me and if so, could you let me have details of the passbook, etc.
Well done on your wonderful idea and looking forward to hearing the end result.,
Jenny

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- Misha Garafalo on July 29, 2013 at 20:10 said:
  
  Jenny, we are in the process of coming up with something to share soon; please stay posted – Thanks! 🙂
  
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IPP Saravanan on July 27, 2013 at 08:12 said:

Great idea..I love a copy of the passport..much appreciated if you could mail a copy..

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- Misha Garafalo on July 29, 2013 at 20:11 said:
  
  Saravanan, we are in the process of coming up with something to share soon; please stay posted – Thanks! 🙂
  
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PP.Susant.T on July 27, 2013 at 01:29 said:

Nice and Innovative
one.

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- Misha Garafalo on July 29, 2013 at 20:11 said:
  
  Thanks, Susant! 🙂
  
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Ed Fougner on July 26, 2013 at 15:15 said:

Great way to re-energize a tired club

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Fred Allyn, Jr on July 26, 2013 at 11:17 said:

How can any of us get a “sample” Passport?

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- Misha Garafalo on July 26, 2013 at 17:18 said:
  
  Fred,
  
  Greetings to your Connecticut Club! 🙂
  
  At this time, we don’t have extra stock, but are discussing a way to reach out to those asking for samples – Thanks!
  
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PDG Dr.Vijendra RID 3150,INDIA on July 25, 2013 at 23:11 said:

Great Idea in Engaging Rotarians in Doing Good and changing lives
and New tool for Retention and converting Members of Rotary Club into True Rotarians. Can you mail me a copy of the Passport.

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- Misha Garafalo on July 26, 2013 at 17:16 said:
  
  PDG Dr. Vijendra:
  
  We actually received a lot of requests for samples, and didn’t have extra stock, but are in the process of obtaining more.
  
  Please keep in touch, and we’ll keep you updated – Many thanks for the kind words of encouragement! 🙂
  
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sbijay90000 on July 25, 2013 at 22:18 said:

Its something really wonderful idea to implement all around. If possible, please send me the soft copy of this idea in detail on .
we Rotaractors from RID 3292, Nepal & Bhutan can implement this thing in our district after a small talk!
Hope for your positiveness.

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- Misha Garafalo on July 26, 2013 at 17:12 said:
  
  The Club is actually working on formalizing the idea for others, and will try our best to release something on our website soon (www.rotaryclubofshorewood.org) – Thanks and be well!
  
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icuw on July 25, 2013 at 11:40 said:

it is an awesome initiative!

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Panchanadhan Rajagopalan on July 25, 2013 at 10:24 said:

How nice to “rope” in members to become participating Rotarians – an effort that can be emulated.
I wish I have a copy of the “Passport”. Can I have one?
Rtn PP Prof R Panchanadhan
Rotary Club of Tiruchirapalli – D 3000 – India
5, 9th Cross, 7th Main, Srinivasanagar, Tiruchirapalli 620 017 INDIA

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- Misha Garafalo on July 26, 2013 at 17:09 said:
  
  Panchanadhan,
  
  Our Club received so many responses asking for passport samples, that we didn’t have enough residual stock to send out, but we’ll definitely be looking into how to help other Clubs interested in receiving them – Thanks for asking! 🙂
  
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  - Panchanadhan Rajagopalan on July 30, 2013 at 22:51 said:
    
    How nice of you, President
    Even if you have images of the pages, they could be of immense use
    Blessings for all Success
    Punch
    
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  - suehklock on August 2, 2013 at 15:21 said:
    
    Could you post template of the passport on your club’s website or via social media?
    
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Gina on July 25, 2013 at 08:21 said:

It’s a very creative idea that I will share with my Rotaract Club, thank you for sharing.

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- Misha Garafalo on July 26, 2013 at 17:03 said:
  
  Thanks, Gina!
  
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