Loyalty and Service to the Club

We were all invited to join this prestigious club, the First in Asia; and we said “yes” to what we believe was a worthy proposition and sublime pursuit. Thereafter, we voluntarily, without reservation or purpose of evasion, took our oath as members. As bona fide members, we are all expected to do our humble part in ensuring that the Rotary Club of Manila’s projects and service activities are, with one heart and mind, carried on and fully implemented. We all signed up as volunteers, and as such, we are duty bound to perform a certain amount of work for the Club, and for the community it serves.

Indeed, as an officer, committee chair or member, one must do his share in making the Club soar and achieve its laudable objectives. After taking an oath to perform the work the position entails, it behooves one to be always mindful of the import and impact of such oath.

There is of course a special demarcation line that sets apart the duly elected members of the Board, led by the President. These are the Rotarians who I believe must truly act as leaders, firm decision-makers, unifiers, peacemakers, as well as vision and mission seekers. The Board, as we all know, is the governing body of the Club and must thus always set the tone and purpose.

Whether one is a member or officer of the Club, one thing is clear: one’s loyalty must be to the Club, and no other. All actions and decisions made must redound to the benefit of the Club, and no other. After entering the Club and embracing the brotherhood that is RCM, one must be prepared to serve above self, and unmitigatedly push the mission of the Club above self. One must see and be fixated with the united whole that is RCM, and endeavor to act always in harmony with others. In other words, all actions must be geared towards the success and betterment of the Club.

Yes, there is no “I” in “Rotary” and, difficult as it may be, all members must be ready to humbly serve and pursue what is best for the Club, including (and especially) the gargantuan task of protecting its reputation and standing before the RI community here and abroad.