Service Above Self – A Rotary Journey

Patrick Dunn

As I sit at my desk on this snowy Valentine’s Day in Reno, NV, I find myself reflecting on the path that has brought me to where I am today. Leading an International Committee of Rotarians in collaboration with Roots of Peace and its founder, Heidi Kuhn, is the culmination of a lifetime of service. I’ve come to truly understand what it means to live by the Rotary motto: Service Above Self—and through this journey, I have seen the powerful impact of the Four-Way Test in my life, even before I was fully aware of its principles.

Growing up in rural Maine on a small, sustainable family farm, I never knew what Rotary International was. My family, though modest and proud of our self-sufficiency, wasn’t involved in organizations like Rotary. My father, a World War II veteran, never made it past sixth grade, and my mother was a stay-at-home mom. But despite our humble circumstances, we were a family that believed in helping neighbors and taking care of the most vulnerable. That spirit of service was embedded in my upbringing, and it has shaped every part of my life.

As a child, service came naturally. I joined Cub Scouts and later Boy Scouts, where I learned the value of small acts of kindness and community service. I was involved in my church’s Youth Group, visiting elderly shut-ins, singing Christmas carols at nursing homes, and delivering food to those in need. I also volunteered at the Togus Veterans Hospital, where my father worked. Many veterans were long-term patients without families, and they appreciated the company. I can still remember, at 14, wheeling patients into a room for a screening of Blazing Saddles—the first R-rated movie I ever saw.

When I attended the University of Maine, my understanding of service expanded significantly. It was there that I joined Alpha Phi Omega, a national service fraternity, which opened doors to large-scale service projects. By the time I graduated, I was serving as the Service Vice President. One of my most memorable accomplishments was resurrecting “Maine Day” in 1983. This event, a day off from classes, was not just a break but a day devoted to community service, where students worked on projects for the university and local community. The success of Maine Day exceeded my expectations, and it continues today as a cherished tradition—one that truly embodies the spirit of giving and collaboration.

At its core, Maine Day was about answering the question: Will it be beneficial to all concerned? The answer, in this case, was yes, and it’s a testament to how one act of service can spark long-lasting change. I look back on that day and realize it was a living example of Rotary’s Four-Way Test, even though I didn’t know it then. It was about truth, fairness, and building goodwill—all principles that would later define my journey in Rotary.

After college, my focus shifted to establishing myself professionally, but service never truly left my life. When we adopted our daughter, my commitment to service found new channels through activities like the PTA, the Band Parents Association, and volunteering at swim meets. I also helped create the North Georgia Rowing Academy, providing new opportunities for youth to engage in meaningful activities.

In time, I found a new outlet for my desire to give back through the Knights of Columbus. In this role, I served as both Grand Knight and Faithful Navigator. The Knights were involved in everything from community clothing drives to feeding the homeless, as well as volunteering at local veterans’ homes. These experiences reinforced my belief in the importance of service, and I carried that commitment forward as I searched for a new way to make a lasting difference in the world.

It wasn’t until I joined Rotary International that I truly found my calling. I was introduced to Rotary’s mission of Service Above Self, and I began to understand how it aligned perfectly with my own values. Rotary became the platform where I could truly embody the ideals of the Four-Way Test in a global context. Through Rotary, I discovered my passion for peace-building, particularly in regions devastated by conflict. The ability to help rebuild communities through sustainable agriculture felt like a natural extension of my values.

My work with Roots of Peace is an example of how Rotary’s Four-Way Test continues to guide me. In my role as a leader of an international team of Rotarians, I work alongside Heidi Kuhn and her organization to bring hope, peace, and sustainability to war-torn regions. Roots of Peace works to clear landmines and provide communities with tools for agricultural prosperity—fostering peace and self-sufficiency in areas that have long been plagued by conflict.

In fact, my background on a small, sustainable family farm has proved to be invaluable in this work. As a teenager, I worked on the farm, learning the importance of hard work, resourcefulness, and environmental stewardship. I also studied environmental science in college as part of my degree in Forest Recreation. These early experiences, paired with Rotary’s emphasis on fairness and benefit for all, have allowed me to bring a unique perspective to my efforts with Roots of Peace.

Today, as I lead our international team, I see how the principles of Rotary—the Four-Way Test—are woven into the fabric of everything we do. Whether we’re ensuring that sustainable agricultural practices are being implemented or that the benefits of peace-building extend beyond immediate survival needs to long-term prosperity, we’re continually answering the questions set forth in Rotary’s guiding principles. Is it the truth? Yes. Is it fair to all concerned? Absolutely. Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Undoubtedly. Will it be beneficial to all concerned? Without question.

Looking back, I see that my entire life has been shaped by service—whether through Scouts, college, the Knights of Columbus, or now through Rotary and Roots of Peace. And as I reflect on my journey, I understand now that the Four-Way Test was always there, guiding my decisions and actions, even before I fully embraced Rotary. It has become my compass in my work and in life. Through Rotary, I’ve found a community of like-minded individuals who are committed to serving others, and together we strive to create a world where peace and goodwill are not just ideals, but realities.

As I sit here today, with the snow falling outside, I am filled with gratitude for the countless ways in which service has shaped my life. But the journey is far from over. In fact, it’s entering a new and exciting phase. I am eager to continue this work, to bring peace and sustainable development to more communities, and to see how the Rotary family and Roots of Peace can build an even greater legacy of service in the years to come.

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