At a cheerful, upbeat gathering of Whitehall Area Rotary Club members and Catasauqua residents, discussions ensued of reinstating the Catasauqua Rotary Club, which ended about 20 years ago.

The meeting, held Feb. 27 at Taylor House Brewing Company, 76 Lehigh St., Catasauqua, featured Herb Klotz, Rotary governor of Pennsylvania District 7430. He brought the Rotary message of “service above self.”

The Rotary vision is “Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change - across the globe, in our communities and in ourselves.”

Klotz urged the Catasauqua attendees to consider forming a Catasauqua Rotary.

“Twenty years ago, there was a Catty Rotary. We know there are people here with a heart for service,” Klotz said. “Through a Rotary, you will meet great people. The Rotary is worldwide.”

The Catasauqua Rotary Club would be a satellite of the thriving Whitehall Rotary.

A satellite Rotary requires eight to 10 members. A full Rotary requires at least 20 members. The satellite group is required to complete two active service efforts per month. It is suggested that it hold one meeting for members, typically a breakfast meeting for networking purposes. Whitehall Rotary pledged to serve as a mentor for the nascent Catasauqua group.

Whitehall Area Rotary Club President Diane Davidson and President-elect Denise Continenza were on hand to support the new Catasauqua chapter. They reinforced the Whitehall pledge to assist the Catasauqua Rotary as a mentor. Both talked about activities the Whitehall group has completed.

Examples include the annual Jingle Bell Run/Walk to raise funds for local charities, mock interviews with Whitehall High School students to prepare them for the work world, assisting Habitat for Humanity, hosting a career fair for WHS students, Ironton Rail Trail cleanup, backpack donations, a four-way speech contest and more.

Klotz stressed the face of the Rotary has changed from essentially being a group for business people to being open to all who want to serve society.

In his personal testimony, Klotz relayed his simple take-away following a Rotary meeting from years ago.

“Seeing their heart for service, I said to myself, I have to be one of them,” he said.

Klotz joined the Rotary, and with his passion for service, he rose though the ranks to become governor of District 7430. District 7430 encompasses Lehigh, Northampton, Berks, Bucks and Montgomery counties.

An organizational meeting of the Catasauqua Rotary Club will be held 5:30 p.m. March 19 at Taylor House Brewing Company. All are invited.