President's Corner

Dear Colleagues in RCM,

The most valuable reasons why leaders join RCM are to develop friendship and camaraderie among its members, to share and serve the needy in our society, to protect the environment, and to care for the sick. Fund the youth and help them get an education that will probably change their lives for the better. Feed the street children. Help eliminate polio—Rotary has been working to eradicate polio for over 35 years through its Global Polio Eradication Initiative. Rotary Club of Manila also established the Boy Scouts of America Philippine Islands Council No. 545. We also collaborate with the Philippine Cancer Society and we are involved in many outreach programs in the community.

What is vital is that our outreach projects must be sustainable. Every member may solicit funds from their friends to help the underprivileged and secure corporate co-sponsorship to decide the project they can co-produce. Let’s have fund-raising projects that can promote the camaraderie of our members. The leaders should get everyone involved.

While it is expected that we, Rotarians, become real friends, we need to set aside friendship when moral principles are transgressed or abused.

We need a deeper bench of volunteers. We need to tap creative members—those with a goal of pursuing active involvement. We are moving to get more young leaders who are inspired to work above self. There is a need to review the standing committees, what needs to be eliminated and what we have to add. As leaders, we need to have the time, effort, connections and willingness to spend from their resources or be able to persuade others to believe and contribute to our projects.

The increase in membership is a priority for the growth and well-being of RCM. We don’t want to see a dying organization because of loss of passion to serve and share due to politics or other priorities that do not serve the interest of the Rotary movement.

Involvement in different projects is a must for Rotary to thrive and exceed expectations in bringing out the best in whatever we do. We all have to be concerned with branding to promote the image of Rotary and our RCM brand.

On the other hand, allow me to give you an update on the activities we are undertaking. First, the Athlete of the Year Award Project has been initiated by IPP Jackie Rodriguez. We appointed the principal adviser, Joaquin “Quinito” Henson, who prepared a video of the six (6) athletes who competed. Based on the tabulation of the Board, the world-renowned gymnast, Carlos Yulo prevailed. Our award is named after Jorge Vargas, a member of RCM who served as Executive Secretary of President Manuel Quezon. Rtn. Jorge Vargas was the first head of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines, and he held different positions in the government after the war. He died in 1980.

The membership development committee is passionately moving to recruit more leaders in the business community to join RCM. Our target is to go beyond 225 members. We have a vaccine survey among our members for those who might be interested to buy in bulk if this may be convenient and cheaper.

I thank our Transformational Team who are relentlessly doing their best to promote the goodwill and image of RCM among the Districts, Sister Clubs, Circle of Centennial Rotary Clubs worldwide, as well as the recipients and beneficiaries of our outreach projects and the different communities who are familiar with the Rotary movement.

Leadership is not the position, but who you are.

Maraming salamat.

Your Servant, President Robert “Bobby” Lim Joseph, Jr., President RY 2020-2021 (101st President)