In my Rotary journey, I have done my best to learn and experience as much as I can. Through fortunate circumstances (meaning volunteering above my pay grade), I have met and become friends with a great array of dynamic Rotarians and in doing so experienced a different dimension of Rotary. This new dimension is one where there are more levers, more dials, more controls and more buttons to push, slide and pull. As Rotarians, we are driving a complex Rotary machine that is capable of doing amazing work if we are willing to learn how to operate it. Like most things in life, we only go to the instruction manual when something isn't working. We don't go to the operating manual when it is doing what we think it can do.
One of my passions is watching the evolution of the kids in the Human Powered Vehicle group that I am involved with. This is a school group who build and race human powered vehicles, except the parents can race at the same time as the students. As a parent, we invent new things to get the vehicle to move faster, we provide support to the students and we work as a dynamic team during a racing event. The students on the other hand train hard, learn new technology and observe the parent dynamics that make our team one of the best in the competition.
My group are leaders because we are focused on the outcome of the students and not the outcome of the race. We are constantly assessing our progress between where we need to be and where we are. This group has helped me with Donations in Kind donations, have been winning Model United Nations Assembly events, are Interact and Rotaract Presidents and members, as well as being supportive of the community. My friend Andrew Somers and his wife Michele are a strong part of this dynamic group.
Being a Rotarian is much the same as being in a dynamic community group like the Human Powered Vehicle group. Knowledge gives an advantage. Working the network gives opportunity. Keeping an eye on progress gives control. Combining knowledge and a good network steps up the potential personal impact on what you and your Club can achieve for your community and for the world.
There is one more ingredient that I have failed to mention, work for the good of all and not for the good of yourself. We must work with other Rotarians and not think that we can work alone. We are here to make an impact on the world together using as many people as we can.
As the President, I am well aware of the areas we need to improve on and most of that has been stated in the President's Plan. This plan is the starter blueprint for our club, it is not the destination! Rotary knowledge, participation and accessing our progress over the year takes us to the next level. If members can see a deliberate direction towards actions and outcomes, then we will be doing some life changing work soon.
When the District Governor comes to visit, he is looking for a dynamic, enthusiastic, organically evolving Club that is smart and pushing its boundaries. While we are not there on round one of the District Governor visits, I am hoping that you will understand that every individual member has a responsibility to be enthusiastic, dynamic and have the knowledge to organically grow our reach.