I’ve hit a significant milestone in my life today: I am a Rotarian! I’ve been part of the Rotary Family since I was in high school, and anyone who knows me knows that this is a very significant moment for me. The club I joined is the Rotary Club of Austin in District 5870. We meet Tuesdays for lunch at St. David’s Episcopal Church in downtown Austin. If you are ever in the area, join us!
Here are some photos of the pinning ceremony, followed by a letter I wrote to the folks that got me started down this path 16 years ago.
An Open Letter To The Rotary Club of Alexandria
Tuesday, August 18, 2015
Sixteen years ago, this club sponsored Judson Moore to participate in Camp RYLA. Half a lifetime later, he is at this moment being introduced to the Rotary Club of Austin, Texas as their newest member. Judson asked that I take a moment to recount his journey over these last 16 years as a testament to that investment we made in him and encourage us to continue making similar CENLA youth investments.
Here is what Judson writes to our club today:
Dear Rotary Club of Downtown Alexandria,
Today is a day that I’ve been looking forward to for half my life. The journey I’ve been on since we first met has been incredible, and I do try at every opportunity to make you proud. Please allow me a moment to share with you where your impact has led me.
After Camp RYLA, I served as a Rotary Youth Exchange Student for one year in Oldenburg, Germany. Before starting college, I spent six months backpacking Brazil, alone, where I volunteered with local Rotary projects throughout the country. Back in the United States, I became active in Rotaract and served in leadership roles at the local, district, and international levels, as well as being the Program Chair for the 2011 RI PreConvention in New Orleans.
Through all of this, I have had many professional experiences striving to make the world a better place. I worked as the Emergency Response Planner for the American Red Cross in southern Louisiana during post-Hurricane Katrina, traveled the United States with the biggest names in music entertainment as a concert producer, and then decided to get back to my roots and dedicate myself to serving humanity in the United States Peace Corps.
Now residing in Austin, Texas, I contribute to the Austin business community’s growth as the co-founder of the Brazos Technology District and as part of the Operations Team at Mutual Mobile. Later this year, I will travel to Egypt as part of the Shafik Gabr Foundation Fellowship, which aims to encourage collaborative projects between Americans and Egyptians. In the coming year or two, I hope to begin a career with the United States State Department as an American Diplomat; I’ve already passed their exams and received a Top Secret clearance, but the waiting list does take quite some time to get through.
In these short 16 years, I feel like I have had lifetimes of experiences. I recognize and remember at every one of life’s intersections how I have moved down this road, and it all started in 1999 when this club supported my candidacy to participate in Camp RYLA. I thank you for what you have done for me, what you have done for my generation, and for what I am confident you will continue to do for those whose journey is about to begin.
Your Fellow Rotarian, Judson Moore
My Past Rotary Activity
2015 – Present Rotary Club of Austin, Member 2013 – Rotary Club of Austin, Camp Enterprise, Austin, TX 2010 – 11 Rotaract 2011 PreConvention, Program Chair, New Orleans, LA 2010 – 11 Rotaract Club of South Bay, Membership Chair (elected but not served), Los Angeles, CA 2010 – 11 Rotaract District 5280, Social Chair (elected but not served), Los Angeles, CA 2010 RYLA District 5280, Councilor, Los Angeles, CA 2005 – 06 Rotaract Club of LSU, Vice–President, Baton Rouge, LA 2005 – 6 Rotaract Club of LSU, Director, Baton Rouge, LA 2002 – 05 Rotaract Club of LSUA, President and Founding Member, Alexandria, LA 2000 – 01 Rotary Youth Exchange Student, Oldenburg, Germany 2001 – 03 RYLA, District 6190, Councilor, Alexandria, LA 1999 RYLA, District 6190, Camper, Alexandria, LA
