Fellowship, Fun and the Fine Art of Burning Off Beer Calories

It’s June already? That means two things: summer is almost here, and my year as District Governor is wrapping up. It’s been an honor — and a blast — to serve. Traveling across Virginia and Tennessee, I’ve met some incredible Rotarians doing amazing things. You’ve proven that the Magic of Rotary isn’t just a slogan — it’s the real deal.

June is also Rotary Fellowship Month — and what better time to celebrate the joy of connection? Summer is made for fellowship. Grilling out. Swapping stories. Laughing until your sides hurt. Catching lightning bugs in a jar… and waking up disappointed because you forgot to poke holes in the aluminum foil. Maybe even getting sunburned while pretending you're a cornhole champion.

But Rotary Fellowships go beyond your backyard BBQ. These international groups connect Rotarians around shared passions — from motorcycling and scuba diving to chess, jazz, birdwatching, beer and yes… even yodeling. (Seriously. Google it.)

Personally, I’ve found my people in the whiskey and beer fellowships. On Robert Burns Day, the Whiskey Fellowship gathered on Zoom to toast Scotland’s national poet. We shared our favorite drams of aqua vitae and quoted the bard himself: “Freedom and whisky gang thegither.” (That’s “go together” in Scots. And yes, aqua vitae means “water of life” in Latin. Had to flex a little.)

Later this month, I’ll reunite with the BREW Fellowship at the Rotary International Convention in Calgary. Our motto? “Bringing clean water to those who thirst.” Because you can’t brew good beer without clean water — and we’re Rotarians, so even our drinking clubs come with a service project.

And now that my ACL has finally healed, I’m lacing up to join the Running Fellowship. Mostly because I need to outrun all the calories I’ve “fellowshipped” into my life.

So here’s your challenge:

Explore over 100 Rotary Fellowships at https://www.rotary.org/en/our-programs/more-fellowships.  There’s something for everyone — including you.

Whether it’s cycling, photography, gourmet cooking or just wanting to talk about trains with someone who won’t roll their eyes — Rotary Fellowships are your passport to global friendships.

And who knows? Maybe the first step toward peace isn’t a summit or a treaty.  Maybe it’s a smile, a handshake and a clink of glasses between new friends who’ve discovered they share a passion for service — and sour ales.

BRET W. HRBEK
2024-2025 District Governor