Keeping up a Rotary tradition

By Rosalyn Graham

When Evan Webster spoke at Charlotte Shelburne Rotary Club in late August, he was continuing a tradition that began in the earliest years of the Rotary organization. His talk explained the science and complexity of screen printing, the process he uses for creating t-shirts and many other printed specialty items at his Evan Webster Ink company in the Shelburne Green Business Park at the south edge of Shelburne off of Route 7 south.

Explaining your occupation, trade or business to your fellow Rotarians is a tradition that harks back to the day when a lawyer, a coal dealer, a mining engineer, and a merchant tailor first met in 1905 and gave birth to Rotary. The diversity of their occupations, promoting fellowship that is based on diversity rather than commonality, became a cornerstone of the organization, and also laid the foundation for what is known till today as “the classification talk” in which a member shares vocational information that broadens everyone’s knowledge of the contemporary workplace.

Evan’s introduction of the modern science of screen printing, its evolution from the days of silk screens to the multi-screen process of today, and the satisfaction he finds in providing a valuable service to teams, clubs, and manufacturers both locally and throughout New England, enhanced the understanding of his fellow Rotarians of both his business and its place in the community.

Rotary meets every Wednesday morning at 7:30am for a one hour breakfast meeting (typically with an interesting speaker) in the Community Room at Trinity Episcopal Church in Shelburne Anyone who would like to attend and learn more about Rotary and perhaps consider joining the organization is encouraged to attend.