Club President Paul's letter to the Club

Club President Paul's letter to the Club

THE PRESIDENT'S PAGE: JULY 2017

In 2017-18, our RI President Ian Riseley challenged us to answer the question “What is Rotary?”. He has responded to this question with his theme for the Rotary year, 'Making a Difference'.

The theme logo symbolises diversity with people from all races and backgrounds uniting together under the banner of Rotary, reaching ever higher to do good in the world.

Recently, I was asked what should have been a simple question: “What is Rotary?” I wanted to reply but then I hesitated as I realised that I simply did not know where to begin. The problem was that Rotary is too large and complex to easily define. We are a member-based organisation, a club-based organisation, and a service based organisation; we are local, regional, and international; we are community members, working and retired. We are active in nearly every country in the world. Every one of our 1.2 million members has a unique set of goals, experiences, and priorities; every one of us has a unique understanding of Rotary.

So to me, Rotary is defined not by who we are, but by what we do. We answer the question “What is Rotary?” with our actions, by making a difference through our service.

After just one month as President, I believe that this is the ethos that drives our Club. Our common goal is to help others. Whatever motivation each of us had for joining Rotary, it is the satisfaction and the fellowship that we find in Rotary that causes us to remain. I am most grateful to all of you who make belonging to our Club such a rewarding experience. It is genuinely a privilege to be the President of such an organisation.

SOMETHING WE CAN BE PROUD TO BE PART OF:

It looks extremely likely that it could be the year we see the final case of wild polio in the world, a cause Rotary started in 1985 when there were 1,000 cases a day, and to which countless funds and hours of volunteer time has been dedicated. This year to date we have seen just six cases.”

SOMETHING MILDY AMUSING:

A doctor, a lawyer, and a Rotarian in charge of fundraising all die and arrive at the Pearly Gates about the same time. St. Peter tells them they may each have one thing to take with them to Heaven.

The doctor is first, and asks for £1 million. This is given and proceeds to enter Heaven.

The lawyer, not to be outdone, asks for £2 million. "Very well," say St. Peter and opens the gate to Heaven for the lawyer.

Finally it is time for the Rotarian, who had just finished a fundraising project for The Rotary Foundation. St. Peter asks him what he would like to take to Heaven. The fundraiser moves up very close to St. Peter, and in a soft voice asks, "It it's not too much trouble, could I just have the names of those two people who were ahead of me in line?

Paul Tebay