Fellowship as a force for good

By Betty Bui, President, Rotary Club of South Pasadena

“Peace begins not in grand gestures but in the humble act of showing up for one another.”

As the holiday season begins, the Rotary Clubs of Pasadena, South Pasadena, San Marino, and Alhambra/Monterey Park gathered at the historic Blinn House in Pasadena not for ceremony or strategy, but for fellowship. In a world that feels increasingly divided, the simple act of coming together across communities can feel quietly radical.

Built in 1905 by architect George Washington Maher, the Blinn House has long stood as a gathering place for civic dialogue. Its warm wood and amber light have witnessed generations of Pasadenans working toward a common good. Last week, it hosted Rotarians doing the same - sharing laughter in costume, yes, but also reaffirming a truth at the core of service: connection precedes impact.

Fellowship is often dismissed as the social side of Rotary, pleasant but secondary to projects and fundraising. Yet fellowship is where empathy grows roots. It’s in conversation and camaraderie that we rediscover the humanity behind our collective mission.

For newcomers, these gatherings reveal that Rotary is not an institution but a living network of neighbors. For long-time members, they renew the sense of belonging that sustains commitment.

This season, as Rotarians turn toward service and celebration, may we remember that peace begins with friendship — and that every time we gather in fellowship, we take one small step to unite for good.