FROM THE R.I.
SOUTH PACIFIC & PHILIPPINES
OFFICE
with Manager Harley Tarrant |
|
|
Extracted from the Rotary Downunder Magazine
June 2004
What will Rotary stand for in
the 21st Century?
During its early decades Rotary developed a
radical philosophy based on fair dealings in business, tolerance and
understanding of other races, religions and cultures, and Service Above
Self. These ideas made Rotary novel and unique and they were taken up by
enthusiastic men who promoted them in their associations and in their
communities and they influenced society and, eventually, government policy.
As I contended in my
last column
(click), Vocational Service no longer has the focus it once had in
Rotary and many organisations now share many of the same or similar goals
and principles as Rotary. Rotary is no longer novel or unique and it clings
to many outdated practices and customs. More and more the focus of Rotary
is shifting away from service to fundraising and in many cases the end is
used to justify the means of fundraising (e.g. telemarketing).
Rotary is still doing wonderful things and
its size and influence have enabled it to bring the eradication of polio to
the brink of realisation. But the number of Rotarians in developed nations
is shrinking and unless this trend is reversed we may not be able to
undertake projects approaching that magnitude in future
Rotary needs to rekindle the fire of its
early days. Rotarians need to feel that they belong to a special
organisation; an organisation that is different from others; an organization
with a special nature and purpose; an organisation that is capable of making
the world a better place.
If Rotary is to survive for another 100 years
it will need leaders who are capable of developing a compelling philosophy
that will stir the hearts of young business and professional men and women
and challenge them to become apostles of Rotary’s message. If Rotary is to
survive for another 100 years it will need to stand for something that will
inspire the generations that will lead the world in this century.
What will Rotary stand for in the 21st
Century?