“Discernment”

IN this week’s membership meeting, Manila Rotarians will troop to a new venue: Dusit Hotel. This proposed new meeting place is potentially a good spot for the Rotary Club of Manila’s weekly gathering. President Jujut and Program Committee Chair Caloy should be commended for bravely considering other options in terms of venue, and for their continuing efforts to ensure the holding of a memorable and exciting weekly meeting.

The past five WMMs have been successful, with good attendance and informative talks from the invited speakers. Last week’s fellowship held at the Manila Yacht Club was a good break as well, with the balangay cruise along the bay providing a unique experience.

It is that time of the year once again when Manila Rotarians will be nominating the set of officers who will serve in the next Rotary year (2025-2026). From these nominees, the 8 members of the Board of Directors will be chosen, with the top two becoming President and Vice-President, respectively. Pursuant to our By-Laws, the elections will be held in September.

Serving as an RCM Director is not an easy job. A nominee must be ready to commit his time, talent, and at certain times, his treasure. This is what the nominators should carefully consider. It is thus hoped that whoever nominates a candidate for the Club’s consideration will discerning naming their candidate/s because, to be sure, choosing the men who will compose the governing body of the club is a serious matter. The nominator, therefore, must judiciously make a conscious effort to name only those who are ready to commit.

With equal or greater measure, the nominees themselves should go through a careful process of consideration and discernment themselves. Indeed, while being nominated is an honor, the acceptance of such nomination in itself carries a huge responsibility. A nomination cannot be taken lightly, and each nominee has to think whether he can actually commit to make time to dutifully serve the Club. Saying ‘yes’ to a nomination should, therefore, include an acceptance of the real possibility of being actually elected.

This is the reason why each nominee, as an act of accepting his nomination, is required to make a written commitment to, among others, “attend most, if not all, Board, Club and committee meetings.” This written commitment is actually a prelude to the oath that an elected director will take in July next year.

Given the utmost importance of each year’s election of directors and officers, all Manila Rotarians, when exercising their sacrosanct right to vote, are expected to do their part by carefully considering the nominees’ qualifications and track record, and by judiciously voting in September, with the welfare of the Club in mind.