Sharing is a concept generally associated with promoting the greater good, but it is also an individual action, a personal choice. Each one of us decides how much of our time and energy we want to share with Rotary, which ultimately determines how much each club can share with its local community and communities abroad. For that reason, I urge you to become more personally involved in Rotary and to actively participate in both service projects and membership development.
My call for individual involvement includes everyone in the family of Rotary, another emphasis that I want to continue. Our far-reaching family encompasses Rotarians and their families, Rotaractors, Interactors, Youth Exchange students, the widows and widowers of former Rotarians, and others who collectively work to promote Rotary’s goals and ideals. Together, we can promote Rotary’s programs throughout the world, handing down the ideals of service and fellowship from one generation to the next.
The dedicated Rotarians who develop dynamic project ideas and galvanize other members to action form the backbone of every club, but there are too few of them. I believe that every one of us could be that kind of Rotarian if we just take that important first step toward personal involvement — if we just say yes.
Yes, I will lead that project.
Yes, I will bring in a new member.
Yes, I will share my ideas and my resources to make my club stronger.
I’m convinced that 1.2 million involved and active Rotarians can finish the job on polio eradication; carry out projects involving health, water, and literacy; promote the cause of peace to every part of the globe; and clearly and powerfully demonstrate to the world that Rotary Shares.
Wilfrid J. (Wilf) Wilkinson
President, Rotary International
2007-08
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