In this final message as District Governor, I want to convey my feelings about how great an opportunity we have to impact the world as members of Rotary International. The theme chosen for the ’20-’21 year, could not have been more appropriate. It was a simple “Rotary Opens Opportunities”.
When the new theme was chosen by RI President Elect Holger Knaack in the fall of 2019 and when it was first introduced publicly to the International Assembly when I was in the audience in January 2020, no one had yet heard of Covid. We all expected our Rotary year would go pretty much as before with goals of making some differences. Little did we know 6 weeks later much in our lives, including Rotary would be changed. Our meeting styles, service projects, fundraisers, membership and District events were all impacted or canceled this year. But we all had the opportunities to make changes and do Rotary in some different ways. Now, as we all get back to more and more normal, I hope we will take advantage of this year to continue to take opportunities to make changes in areas we need to improve within our Clubs. If the changes help Rotary expand our membership and our mission to “do good for others” around the world, we can look back and not only say, we survived, but also say we thrived in ways that will make a difference in future years.
In my Club visits, I used several quotes which have helped me keep focus this year. Like Churchhill’s “A pessimist see difficulty in every opportunity. An optimist sees opportunity in every difficulty.” Paul Harris said “This is a changing world; we must be prepared to change with it. The story of Rotary will be written again and again.” That was in 1935 in the heart of the Great Depression. He also said “May our happiness increase with our usefulness. What Rotary will be 100 years hence, none living can imagine. There is nothing impossible to Rotary now.” Friends, we are in Rotary’s second 100 years now. Rotary’s legacy is ours now!
We are fortunate to have Past RI President Ray Klinginsmith in our District as a member of the Rotary Club of Kirksville. Ray once said “Rotary has changed the world, and Rotarians will continue to change it in a positive way. The formula is simple. For us to succeed, all we need to do is to focus our best efforts on doing what Rotarians are passionate about and what Rotarians are the best in the world doing, which is “Building Communities – Bridging Continents”.
Rotarians, Rotary is an incredible worldwide organization like no other. The opportunities for you, I, and your Club’s to impact your communities and our world are endless. It’s been my great pleasure to serve as your District Governor. All the best to you and your Club’s in your pursuit of “Service Above Self”
"Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change -- across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves."
Service Above Self! Communicate, Participate, Make a Difference!
Pleasant Valley/Liberty, MO 64068
United States of America