WHAT DOES ROTARY LEADERSHIP LOOK LIKE TO YOU? In 1905 four men got together to give back to their community. They had already built a strong bond from working together in their professions. Each was a leader in their personal and business life and were now reaching out to their community. They were also young. Paul Harris was 36.
They shaped the century going forward. They were thinking outside the box. Asking the question “what can we do for others”? From a small idea came a big result. Who would have thought then where we would be today?
So now, what do you think? Where do you think Rotary is going? Where is your club going? Where are you going?
I know where I’m going. Scientists say that the earth is four and a half billion years old. And, we are in our “half” life. I don’t know if I will make it through the next four and a half billion years. Maybe not even a million. These numbers are so big they make my head hurt. The best I can do is pass on leadership skills, ideas, integrity and Rotarian Core values to someone younger. Someone who can assimilate these ideals and move them forward. For that we need three things.
1. TALENT. A group of raw talented, highly motivated High School and College students that are inspired to lead others. That would be Interact and Rotaract, part of what we call New Generations. And don’t forget the X gens who are integral in connecting the generations. We must start giving them the keys to the kingdom now.
2. OPPORTUNITY. Programs to develop young talent designed to deliver the experience of leadership. Programs like; FLC (Fall Leadership Conference), PWR (Presidents Winter Retreat), and RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Award).
3. PURPOSE. As we work with and train young leaders they develop a sense of purpose by working alongside Rotarians to give Service Above Self to all parts of the world besides their own neighborhood in a total embrace of humanity.
“You are the ones who make NEW, the shape of this century”, Dali Llama, July 2011.
Thank you,
Alan Havir, DG 2011-12
