Preparing to Plan; Planning to Prepare

The gentlemen who were elected two weeks ago to serve in Rotary year 2025-2026 had dinner two nights ago; and in that occasion had the opportunity to discuss some broad plans on how they can all be better prepared for their tour of duty that will commence in a little less than 9 months. With their eclectic mix of varied backgrounds, and with everyone wonderfully woven by a common thread and desire to serve, the group excitedly exchanged and shared ideas. The animated discussion shifted from playing golf to executing impactful community projects; from college days memories to the challenges facing Asia’s First Rotary Club; from expressing high hopes for the future of RCM, to plotting how to courageously address its present day problems; and finally, from a deliberation on planning to prepare, to a talk on preparing to adopt a definitive plan. Overall, it was an insightful and productive dinner discussion.

The Rotary Club of Manila is, without doubt, composed of worthy individuals -- hardworking gentlemen who have been serving and continue to serve with conviction, dedication, and passion. As it is, there are many more, especially the new members, who have not been fully engaged and brought into the committees to fully appreciate the beauty of Rotary service. They have to be “Rotarized” while having fun in the company of friends and RCM brothers.

To reiterate an earlier statement made during the conversations with The Balita (featured in this newsletter two weeks ago), “RCM is a membership organization and a service organization. It's not either/or. As a membership organization, we must foster friendships through fellowship activities. As a service organization, we need to be out there together doing service. Indeed, rendering service becomes more enjoyable when we do it with friends and buddies; hence, the need to strengthen our fraternal bond through meaningful fellowships and other activities such as poker and golf.”

The Council of Presidents will definitely play a huge role in RCM’s march towards preserving the premier status of Asia’s First Rotary Club. The combined firepower of this league of extraordinary gentlemen should be tapped to the fullest, because for sure, they will be, as they have always been, ready to lend the much needed guidance and helping hand to ensure that the Club is able to adroitly navigate through unpredictable waves and unconventional headwinds. Coupled by the renewed enthusiasm and more active participation of a larger sector of RCM’s membership, a heartwarming progress or success, no matter how modest, will definitely be attained.

There may still be some distractions; but as long as the critical mass of RCMers consistently reject the acts that tend to derail, and instead focus on initiatives that aim to advance the organization’s legitimate interests and overall welfare, then the First Club in Asia will surely succeed in preserving and strengthening its legacy and stature.