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Okay, so we have a new Rotary theme this year, “Be the Inspiration”, with what appears to be a tidal wave on an orange background. I believe the tidal wave is actually a copy of Judy Jetsons’ hairdo. I will return to “Be the Inspiration” in a bit but I would be remiss in not reviewing some recent Rotary themes which led up to “Be the Inspiration”.
Looking back over the years we have had some interesting Rotary themes. In my year as President it was “Be a Gift to the World”. WTF! The RI president was clearly paid off by Amazon to come up with that one. I have to confess that I wrapped myself up and attempted to mail myself to a supermodel’s house in an attempt to live up to the theme, but I was arrested trying to climb into the mailbox. So much for being a good Rotarian.
In 2014-15 it was “Light up Rotary”. I think they pulled Debby Boone out of retirement to sing at the International Convention and the image was of a terrorist lighting a fuse. Nice.
Clearly the RI President in 2011-12 was a surgeon when he or she came up with “Reach Within to Embrace Humanity” or to take out your gallbladder.
Then you have the RI President in 2005-06 who clearly was going to get his theme in late so he came up with the novel saying of “Service above Self.” Uh, I’m wondering if it sounded at all familiar when he threw it out there.
The RI President in 2003-04 owned a prosthetics company and came up with “Lend a Hand”.
In 2001-02 the RI President fancied himself a secret agent when he used the phrase “Mankind is our Business”. His name was Richard King and he introduced himself as “King, Richard King” and preferred his Manhattans shaken and not stirred.
In 1998-99 the them was “Follow your Rotary Dream”. A few of our members tried that and were arrested for stalking.
Apparently, Mr. Rogers was RI President in 2007-08 when the theme was “Rotary Shares”. I like the way he said that.
Now you may not remember this but last year the theme was “Rotary Serving Humanity”. They tried “Rotary Serving Inanimate Objects” but it just wouldn’t catch on.
So here we are with “Be the Inspiration”. That is daunting to say the least. It is not “Be an Inspiration. We have to be THE inspiration. That is a lot of pressure and I am not sure I can do it. Clearly, Joe is going to give it his best shot, and I have to admit a little thrill going up my leg like my good pal, Chris Matthews, but still being THE inspiration is a tall order. We will have to wait and see if we are inspired and if we can be the inspiration.
I would have gone with a 2018-19 theme of “Attendance Doesn’t Count Anymore” below a picture of an empty chair, but no one asked me.
If inspiration happens the peanut gallery will be sure to let you know.