Tulsa author, entrepreneur and motivational speaker Clifton Taulbert has high marks for Rotary and our volunteer spirit of 'building community." 

The engaging speaker addressed the club at our July 22 luncheon.

"You are to be saluted as community leaders because here you are doing something to want to do, not what you have to do," Taulbert said.  "That is called 'philanthropy of the heart.'"

The Pulitzer Prize-nominee wrote Once Upon a Time When We Were Colored, The Last Train North, Eight Habits of the Heart, and other books.  He is in demand as a speaker to major corporations and universities.  He recently spoke at the U.S. Air Force Academy and the U.S. Supreme Court, where he asked the justices, "What is the good that is essential to determine the greatness of America?"  His answer in part: volunteerism.

"Volunteers changed my life, because they took the time to help. As Rotarians you are changing the lives of others," he said.

"I think about those things that are lasting. The work of Rotary is among them."