Jackie Krawczak

My year as the president of the Rotary Club of Alpena is coming to an end. On July 1st I step aside and let the next club president take the reins.

Before agreeing to be on the ballot for the position of club president, I was debating on whether to stay in the club at all. I was burned out. Frustrated. Overcommitted. I had been a Rotarian for nearly 20 years and didn’t feel like my heart was in it anymore. I was the club secretary for a few years at that point and didn’t intend to become president anytime soon. If ever.

Then the ask was made for me to consider becoming club president. The Rotarians who reached out to me and asked about becoming President promised they would support me in various roles. They would help with the club’s major fundraiser, take on the role of secretary, and support me in ideas I brought to the club, as goofy as they may be. They knew me well enough to know I’d probably try some unique things to help drive engagement and membership growth.

I had some anxiety and fear about committing to something so intense (the club meets weekly, plus monthly Board meetings and various club projects). But it wasn’t long before those thoughts were overshadowed by the ideas I had for the club and the excitement I had for a new challenge.

It didn’t take long to agree to have my name on the ballot for club president for the 2024/2025 Rotary Year. I decided that a new challenge would be good for me as I was starting to feel monotony in the club. It wasn’t anyone’s fault but my own. That’s the type of person I am. I thrive on constant reinvention, change, and new challenges to feel engaged and of value.

Throughout the year I reflected on the journey, and each time I reflected, it was made increasingly clear that I feel truly grateful I said yes to the opportunity.

One thing that stands out to me about the experience is the number of times I was surprised in good ways.

Frequently we needed someone to fill a role at a weekly meeting. I never once had a difficult time finding someone to fill in when the person assigned wasn’t available. Whether it was working at the check-in table, delivering the invocation, or collecting happy/sad/announcement dollars, several people volunteered every time I asked for help at a meeting.

Rotarians are all assigned tasks at the start of the year. I was surprised by some of the Rotarians who not only accepted and carried out their assignments but went above and beyond their duties, often thinking of creative new ways to deliver results and more value.

It was also a surprise to me that the relationships I had with fellow Rotarians were deepened to the degree they were. I connected with some Rotarians who I hadn’t had a chance to connect much with yet. Some of the most unexpected bonding happened during times of stress. Supporting one another and using laughter during challenges was refreshing and created what are sure to be lasting friendships. Relationships I already had were strengthened through the experience.

The biggest surprise to me is that at the end of a very involved and intense year as president, I realize that I no longer feel burned out. Instead, I feel reenergized about staying involved in the club and continuing to support the mission and work they do. It doesn’t mean I’d like to stay President for another year, but it does mean I am not feeling like I want to leave the club like I was debating about before.

I thought I would end the Rotary year even more frazzled and ready to run away, eager to take a break for a while.

Somehow, though, the opposite happened, and I believe it is because of the surprises I experienced during the year. Sure, there were disappointments along the way and there is a list of things I wish I would have done differently or accomplished but overall, the experience was very positive and reinforced to me that there are good people everywhere who are eager to help and show support and do what’s right for the betterment of all. I’m proud to be associated with my fellow Rotarians and the good work they do.

Jackie Krawczak is president of Jackie Krawczak LLC. Her column runs every three weeks on Thursdays. Follow Jackie on X @jkrawczak.