Presidential Statement

As Rotarians, I believe that we should be seen as “people of action”. The world today is not the same as it was when Rotary began in 1905. Demographics have shifted, the pace of change has accelerated, and technology has created new opportunities for connection and service. What hasn’t changed is a need for the values that define Rotary: integrity, fellowship, diversity, leadership, and service. In 2017 Rotary approved this Vision Statement: “Together we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change across the globe, in our communities and in ourselves.” Through 2019-20, The Action Plan, was rolled out. It honours our past and embraces our future. Over five years it is meant to help evolve Rotary as an organization not only to keep us relevant but also to help us thrive.

The Action Plan has four priorities: “Increase our impact, expand our reach, enhance participant engagement, and increase our ability to adapt”. As people of action, we need to consider and analyse what we are doing, and have done in the past, to find ways of being more effective in what we do. As people of action, let’s share our values with new audiences, create new ways to bring people together to experience the power of Rotary, and prove that we are an organisation that is compassionate, engaging, inclusive, and ambitious on behalf of our communities and the world.

As people of action, we create meaningful relationships that span continents and decades. Let’s use every encounter as an opportunity to show people what Rotary can do for them as individuals and as members of our communities. As people of action, we look for new perspectives and new ideas that can strengthen Rotary and create lasting change for the better. Let’s work to create a culture of research, innovation, and willingness to take risks in our club, to better serve our communities and beyond.

 
Each new Rotary year has a new Presidential Theme. This year’s theme was chosen by the Rotary International President, Gordon McInally, from the Rotary Club of South Queensferry. It is: “Create hope in the world”. My vision for the coming year is to see all of us – members, coordinators, club officers, and club council – working together to help create hope in the world – and that includes our communities in and around Jedburgh. We each have talents and strengths to offer, regardless of age. So let us use these wisely and generously and show that, as Rotarians, we are people of action, and we enjoy fellowship and fun as we put service before self