RI President Ron Burton’s Presidential Theme for 2013-14
RI President Ron Burton has challenged us to Engage Rotary -- Change Lives.
Think about how we use the word engage...
· We engage in ethical businesses and engage new employees.
· We engage each other in casual conversations and serious discussions.
· I think most Rotarians have an engaging personality, which is good when we want to engage the support of others.
Look at the Engage Rotary logo with those big hands on the Rotary wheel. Those are working hands.
Remember, the Rotary emblem is not just any wheel; it’s a gear wheel -- gears engage, transferring motion from one to another, multiplying their energy to get more work done more efficiently.
And, as we all know, Rotary is about getting things done.
As Rotarians, through service projects that benefit people in our own communities and communities in other countries, we have the personal experience of changing lives. We know from experience that in serving others we change our own lives too.
We are fortunate to have that opportunity at this crucial time in Rotary history...following in the successful footsteps of our dedicated 2012-13 D5240 Officers, Club Presidents, Club Leaders, and Club Members.
We already have a record number of 2013-14 District Grant projects approved and ready to implement. Even now, D5240 clubs are finalizing their bigger, better, and bolder 2013-14 Global Grant project proposals under Future Vision.
We have the added incentive of Bill Gates’ newest challenge -- to match our PolioPlus giving two-to-one up to $100 million! And we may see the last case of polio in 2013-14, an unforgettable milestone in the polio endgame.
This Rotary year 2013-14 marks the 25th anniversary of Rotary’s Council on Legislation approving and encouraging the admission of women to Rotary clubs worldwide. What a great and appropriate opportunity to invite many more business and professional women into our clubs to re-energize all our Avenues of Service, as did the first wave of women Rotarians.
In all our Clubs’ exciting initiatives and opportunities, remember that every member has a role as we Engage Rotary and Change Lives in 2013-14.