Rotary Is Positivity

BE a Gift to the World. Be the Inspiration. Lead the Way. Goodwill Begins with You. Create hope in the World. You are the Key. Kindle the Spark Within. Take Time to Serve. Be a Friend. Lend a Hand. Make Dreams Real. Serve to Change Lives. Sow the Seed of Love. Peace Through Service. Create Awareness – Take Action.

These are just a few of the Rotary International themes over the years – the ones that have shaped Rotary and the thinking of every Rotarian, the ones that have inspired us to be better persons, and better Rotarians. This year, we are exhorted to experience and spread the “Magic of Rotary”, clearly by being the best we can be in the service of our community.

Looking at the various themes adopted by RI Presidents over the years, Rotary is unquestionably about serving and promoting goodwill and friendships. It is all about positivity. Thus, spreading negativity, exhibiting unkind behavior, besmirching somebody’s reputation, and shaking the hornet’s nest are acts that categorically militate against Rotary tenets and values. In fact, these acts go against basic human values. Remember, each Rotarian is a key to creating hope in the world and making dreams real. So, let us take time to serve, lead the way by being a gift to the world, and sow the seed of love.

This year, Rotarians are exhorted to spread the “Magic of Rotary.” This is another positive invitation that is worth accepting. In this regard, it bears stressing that the conduct and thinking of each Rotarian must not be anchored only on the current theme, but must also reflect a combination of all the past themes and exhortations. “Be a Friend” was the RI theme thirty years ago (1994-1995), but it does not mean that being and offering oneself as a friend was applicable only that year. Today, let us continue to be a friend to all. Applying this to our Club, let us continue to be a brother to all RCMers.

According to Rotary.org, “(t)he tradition of crafting a theme is credited to Percy C. Hodgson, Rotary’s president in 1949-50. When Hodgson addressed the International Assembly in 1949, he impressed upon the incoming leaders that they had a ‘glorious opportunity to impart Rotary knowledge’ and that ‘lack of Rotary knowledge can be a deterrent to the successful operation of a Rotary club.’ Hodgson’s 83-word theme, which included a list of four objectives, was substantially longer than today’s punchier themes, but it captured his hope that incoming leaders have essential knowledge of Rotary.”