Dowagiac’s Rotary Club welcomed Rotary Club District Governor Mark Henne to Dowagiac Thursday, pressing members to “do something big.”

During the regular meeting at the Elks Lodge, 300 Riverside Drive, Henne summed up the involvement of Rotary clubs around the world.

With more than 1.2 million Rotarians across the globe, the district governor detailed the programs in the southwest Michigan region and how Dowagiac citizens can become involved.

Six major areas of humanitarian aid and study include peace and conflict prevention, disease prevention, water and sanitation, maternal and child health care, basic education and literacy and economic and community development.

Henne explained that these areas provide opportunities not only for Rotarians to become involved, but to help children succeed.

“This is Rotarians caring about the community and the kids in the community,” Henne said.

Rotarian Wilbur Breseman was included in the district governor’s presentation.

After the former Marcellus Rotary Club disbanded, Breseman began attending Dowagiac’s club to continue his work with polio prevention in India. After attending “IDs,” or immunization days, Breseman said the experience changed his perspective of community in Cass County.

“He was infected with the spirit of Rotary,” Henne said.

Another topic Henne touched on included the growing number of young people joining Rotary clubs in the area, as well as the youth division, Interact Club.

Dowagiac’s first Interact Club, through Dowagiac Union High School, was responsible for sending care packages to the Dowagiac National Guard unit stationed in Afghanistan and slated to return home in September.

“Rotary isn’t just something for older adults to take part in,” Henne said. “We need young folks to help our community, too.”