We were staggered, but not knocked down. In a perverse sort of way, you could say that the challenges strengthened us. What is it they say? “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”
I’m not sure if my Presidency of the Club for the third time is a case of “third time is the charm” or “three strikes and you’re out”. I do know that I am looking forward to the year as one of focusing on our mission of service to others and of developing new leadership in the Club. The fact that our President-Elect and Vice President are both pandemic recruits with whom “mission over meals” resonates is, to me, very exciting.
The Object of Rotary
The Object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideals of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster the following:
- FIRST. The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service;
- SECOND. High ethical standards in business and professions, the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations, and the dignifying of each Rotarian’s occupation as an opportunity to serve society;
- THIRD. The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian’s personal, business, and community life;
- FOURTH. The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.
The Four-Way Test
This test, which guides all Rotarians and Rotary activities, has been translated into more than 100 languages and asks the following four questions:
Of the things we think, say, or do:
- Is it the TRUTH?
- Is it FAIR to all concerned?
- Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
- Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
Mission
Avenues of Service
Based on the Objects of Rotary, the Avenues of Service are Rotary’s philosophical cornerstone and the foundation on which club activity is based:
- Club Service focuses on strengthening fellowship and ensuring the effective functioning of the club.
- Vocational Service encourages Rotarians to serve others through their vocations and to practice high ethical standards.
- Community Service covers the projects and activities the club undertakes to improve life in its community.
- International Service encompasses actions taken to expand Rotary’s humanitarian reach around the globe and to promote world understanding and peace.
- New Generations Service recognizes the positive change implemented by youth and young adults through leadership development activities, service projects, and exchange programs.
Diversity and Rotary
Rotary International recognizes the value of diversity within individual clubs. Rotary encourages clubs to assess those in their communities who are eligible for membership, under existing membership guidelines, and to endeavor to include the appropriate range of individuals in their clubs. A club that reflects its community’s diversity with regard to professional and business classifications, gender, age, religion, and ethnicity is a club with the key ingredients to its successful future.
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The 2024 Sylvia Whitlock Leadership Award recipient promotes women’s health and empowerment
Rotarian saved hundreds of children at risk of being killed by the Nazis in the lead up to World War II
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