[D9640general] [eFlash_Rotary] Digest Number 715

[Garry & Anne Krischock]

11375: RI President's October Message 
Sun Oct 14, 2007 11:40 pm (PST) 
RI President's October 2007 Message

Dear fellow Rotarians,

It sometimes comes as a surprise to new Rotarians that they're not 
members of Rotary International. The explanation may initially seem 
to be only a matter of wording: Individual Rotarians are members of 
their clubs, which are the entities holding charters with RI. The 
fundamental building block of Rotary's organizational structure is 
not the member, but the club.

This aspect of RI's administrative design is much more than a matter 
of semantics. In fact, it's an essential reflection of the nature of 
Rotary service. Rotarians do not serve in isolation, but as part of 
their local Rotary community. That is why, early on, our Rotary 
predecessors developed the classification system - a means of 
ensuring that each club would always contain a wealth and diversity 
of expertise, ability, and talent.

The principle of "first the classification, then the member" is one 
that has served Rotary well for many decades. As we enter Vocational 
Service Month, it's time to remind ourselves that our business and 
professional callings are the foundation of our clubs' organization. 
Through serving well in our vocations, we serve as Rotarians.

What does it mean to serve well in our vocations? To me it means, 
very simply, doing our best at everything we attempt and keeping The 
Four-Way Test at the forefront of everything we think, say, and do. 
If we ask ourselves whether an action is true and fair, whether it 
will build goodwill and better friendships, and whether it will be 
beneficial to all concerned, we'll stop short of most of the ethical 
pitfalls that might otherwise make us stumble.

It makes no difference whether we're working or retired, or what our 
field is. As Rotarians, we've agreed to share our skills, our 
knowledge, and our vocational abilities. We've promised to uphold the 
principles Rotary was founded on. And, perhaps most important, we've 
promised to bring our Rotary values out of the club setting and into 
every professional and personal interaction.

To me, ethical standards are part and parcel of our humanitarian 
service. Whenever we pin a Rotary emblem on our lapel, we tell the 
world who we are: people who are honest, forthright, and caring. A 
Rotary emblem is a public message and a declaration of ourselves. 
It's a sign of our dedication to a shared set of ideals, and a firm 
commitment to the high ethical standards demanded of us by Rotary 
club membership. If we maintain those high standards, we'll be able 
to do our humanitarian work far more effectively, because we will 
have earned the confidence of individuals, communities, and 
governments.

Rotary is a force for peace and friendship. It connects us and allows 
us to help others in so many ways. But Rotary is only as strong as 
each one of its clubs, and our clubs are only as strong as their 
members. Each of us must remember what a great responsibility we have 
undertaken and work to fulfill it - in our homes, our clubs, and our 
vocations.

Courtesy: eFlash_Rotary
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