The Importance of Planning Ahead (Part II)

The second crucial point in effective planning of a Rotary club is TEAMWORK. Unity, cooperation, teamwork, team-playing. All these words mean the same thing: that we be united both in purpose and in action. It is a fervent wish that we all be team players, to be like rowers in a rowing team, every effort properly synchronized so that we may move with the fastest speed towards the same direction. An emphatic appeal is made to all members to share your time, your efforts, your resources, your ideas, your opinions. Let me be so bold to say that any personal agenda should be set aside; that trivial conflicts be set aside; that all doubts be set aside and cooperate in our pursuit of our club's objectives.

The third crucial point in effective planning is the need to "GO BACK TO THE BASICS." I strongly urge all members to be reminded of the time-honored guiding principles of Rotary by starting with an honest re-examination of the rationale as to why we are Rotarians. Our being Rotarians should be impelled by an honest desire to serve and live by Rotary's ideals. This should be a steadfast and solemn commitment and not just mindless rhetoric. Being a member of the most prestigious club in the Philippines call for a greater sense of duty and commitment.

The fourth crucial point that I wish to make is SENSE OF DUTY OR COMMITMENT. While Rotary is characterized by the spirit of volunteerism, we must not forget that at the barest minimum, we need to pay our dues, attend meetings regularly and participate in service projects. The only way to achieve the change we are seeking is to begin the change in ourselves by being more committed to our duties as Rotarians. It will do us all the best if we remember that Rotary was never just about fellowship. It is also about service.

The fifth and final point is LEADERSHIP. Perhaps leadership will be the most sensitive of the rallying points given in this two-part article. It brings to mind the classic fairy tale about mice: Once upon a time a council of mice gathered to consider how to deal with their deadly enemy, the cat. After much deliberation, the council decided that the best thing to do is tie a bell around the neck of the cat so that the mice would be warned whenever the cat approached. Amidst their convivial back-slapping and self-congratulation, a small young voice uttered the telling question, "But who shall tie the bell on the cat?"

I tell you now that you are not the first Rotary leader to find yourself in a thankless job. Despite, we cannot be disheartened and remain steadfast in leading by example. Every Rotary leader should be able to motivate his members to render Rotary service beyond what is expected, to sow in the hearts of everyone the passion to give more and to do more. Leadership in this club is about passion for excellence and the desire to bring back the luster and glory of RCM of the time past, when the gentlemen composing this august congregation are men of integrity and gallantry and the events characterized by pomp and splendor. Minding limited resources available to us, we must strive our best to bring back the greatness of RCM, what is was then and what it is meant to be for the next hundred years.

It is hoped that something was learned from my first two-part article. Please stay tuned for more…. Cheers!