COVID-19 has no boundaries and neither does Rotary Club of Barbados. Over the past weeks, through our online platform, we have been graced with the presence of international guest speakers as well as district representatives at our meetings.
On Thursday May 14th we were fortunate to have RI President Elect Holger Knaack join us all the way from Germany at our weekly virtual fellowship meeting. Our other guests included DG Trevor, DGN Sonia, DGND Leslie, AG Peter, AG Frances-Ann, St Kitts, AG Lisa - Barbados,President Jean, President Brian, President Kareem and his Executive from Rotaract Club of Barbados.
PE Holger greeted attendees with much enthusiasm and noted that he has been spending four to five hours a day participating in Online meetings. He jokingly admitted he may be the first RI President who never leaves home given the current pandemic. He thanked PDG David for inviting him and said he looked forward to working with David in the new Rotary year in his role as Chair of RI Membership Committee.
In spite of the current crisis, PE Holger is seeing many more opportunities such as being able to communicate with each other, listening to speakers from around the world, planning projects and sharing our core values while we remain committed to Service above Self.
He said everyone is asking ‘when will be get back to normal?’. His response: “Please do not let us go back to normal in Rotary”. He went on to say that we are rising to virtual success and it is a good time for strategic meetings, discuss what value Rotary is bringing to new and old members. It is an opportunity to review processes, plan projects, review procedures, examine our recruitment process, engagement, put everything to the test and review. Holger mentioned a few areas which can be reviewed including our meeting day, time, location, our fund-raising efforts, and ways to improve our club to make it more effective, attractive, and inexpensive to members. PE Holger stated “now is the time to be revolutionary”
The PE stated, “we can make progress and we can survive this crisis as a stronger organization if we really, really put all efforts in this and change our organization in the direction of future.”
He noted that our clubs around the world are unique and place different emphasis on core values in different parts of world; however, we are always living our core values and we always believe in the same Four Way Test. The test is about us; all about self-reflection
Holger spoke of his growing love for the 20/21 Theme – ‘Rotary Opens Opportunities’. Opportunity for those we serve. When we provide eyeglasses and water, we provide opportunity for others. Rotary provides an opportunity for us to serve, a great gift. Rotary also has opportunities for prospective members, opening a new world for them. He advised members to look for persons who are a good fit for our club and we have to ensure the club meets their expectations; take care of them and engage them. He said "we are always looking for really good friends in Rotary and good Rotarians for life".
He ended by saying “Rotary is a such a wonderful unique organization that we all love, and it was our mission to advance and protect rotary for the generations to come. Rotary opens opportunities for the people we serve and for ourselves".
