2010-2011 Theme Unveiled
The RI Theme for 2010-11 was unveiled today at the 2010 International Assembly in San Diego. RI President-Elect Ray Klinginsmith announced the theme Building Communities - Bridging Continents.
In selecting the theme, Klinginsmith said he reviewed past RI themes and noted that only a very few spoke to non- Rotarians. With this theme, he hopes to have changed that.
Building Communities - Bridging Continets is 2010-11 Theme
By Donna Polydoros Rotary International News - January 18, 2010
After taking the stage to the tune of California Here I Come - RI President-Elect Ray Klinginsmith announced the 2010-2011 RI theme, Building Communities - Bridging Continents during the opening plenary session fo the 2010 International Assembly.
Klinginsmith said he arrived at the theme after reviewing RI themes of years past. He noticed that only a few spoke to non-Rotarians.
"As a result, I decided to search for a briefly stated theme that would fulfill two objectives: the first to explain Rotary to non-Rotarians, and the second to validate our work for Rotarians." he said. "The words that I have selected to describe Rotary's current mission and to highlight our acchievements are waht we do best: Building Communities - Bridging Continents."
The President elect described how his 50 years of Rotary experience have contributed to his focus on communities at home and abroad. For example, as a Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholar, he studied for a year in South Africa, becoming the first student from his small town of Unionville, Missouri, USA, to study abroad.
The timing of the theme announcment, which took place in the evening, was a break in tradition from past assemblies and a reflection of Klinginsmith's willingness to embrace change. He encouraged district governor-elect to reexamine traditional procedures that were no longer best practices and to begin new traditions where appropriate.
He also paid homage to Rotarians of the past who helped to raise Rotary to a place of prominence on the world stage. He urged District Governors-elect to meet the past RI Presidents and other former officers in attendance to deepen their connection to Rotary's past.