I have been sitting here staring at my computer for a while now, trying to think of something to write about this week, with no luck. In that time, I have eaten a package of Pop-tarts (which I totally forgot existed and only found in one of my desk drawers, because I opened it out of shear boredom), cleaned off part of my desk and circumvented this responsibility by writing a few emails. I finally gave up and decided that I would simply write a short paragraph telling you all how wonderful you are and reminding you to come to the meeting this Wednesday so that you could hear me speak about my budget and my goals.

 

Then it hit me. Number one, you are all wonderful! Number two, while I may have some thoughts about the budget, it is by no means mine. It is yours! At least that is how I feel. When I present my budget, it should be short and sweet. I have done nothing but moved a tiny bit of money around so that some committee chairs have a small spending budget and know that they have money to spend on certain items without having to wonder and get approval for miniscule expenditures.  Other than that, the Club’s budget is almost a boiler plate template with the major differences being how much we made at the Seafood Festival and what we are spending our money on for service projects.

 

In addition, I believe the goals of the Club should be yours as well. As the Club President, I have to set goals in “Myrotary.org” and submit them to the District and R.I. These are the fluffy goals, the goals that can win us commendations and make the club look aesthetically pleasing or maybe even make somebody who wants to climb the “Rotary ladder” look good while they are president. These are not the goals of which I speak and I could care less about climbing any ladders. I want to be personally happy and feel like I am living a fulfilled life. I want this for you and in that endeavor, I will do my best to meet my R.I. goals and keep the club a thriving club. However, what is more important to me personally and as Club President is that each and every one of you feel like you are getting the most satisfaction and happiness from your Rotary experience. So, they are your goals, but what are they? I can’t remember the last time I heard an idea for a new service project from the club at large. These are the goals of which I speak. Please, if you have an idea or know of a need, let’s hear it.

 

Here, this paragraph right here, is where the two preceding paragraphs come together, merge, and finish their travels to the sea of Rotary happiness and fulfilment. I believe what I am about to say is the very truth and I hope everyone agrees and nobody gets mad, but it seems obvious to me. It is your money! The real goals, the ones with human importance, should be yours! The budget has become somewhat of a boiler plate template because of the lack of fresh ideas. I mean no offense, but do not be afraid to suggest new projects or new benefactor ideas, so that we can expand on the people that we touch and hopefully benefit. Just like R.I. has been doing through the changes that the Council on Legislation has been enacting, I believe it is time to rid ourselves of the notion that we do things a certain way because that is how it has historically been done or we can’t do anything else because we are too busy.

 

I must say that I believe that if we can follow Rotary’s lead and make it more important to participate than to attend meetings, then we will continue to attract new and younger membership, which can help be the labor and idea force for new projects. The more fresh ideas we can institute and accomplish, the more fulfilled we will (hopefully) feel and the more we can truly tinker with that budget and spend money in ways that makes everyone feel good about what we’re doing!

 

Shaun