At the 2018 PETS/DISTAS held at Holiday Villa, Johor Bahru from 15 to 18 April 2018, District GovernorDatuk Lee welcomed delegates to the annual event. He encouraged the Presidents-Elects who were to attend PETS sessions to absorb as much as possible, to network and to share their experiences. Armed with the knowledge and information that were imparted to them he urged them to and to inspire their clubs to reach greater heights.Both the Guest-of-Honor PDG Lee Kong Hwee as well as Past RI Director GuillerTumangan, the keynote speaker, also encouraged us to scale new heights for Rotary.
In making his keynote speech on the morning of Sat 17 March 2018 DGE Henry Tan shared with the delegates RI’s aspirations, goals and this year’stheme which is “Be The Inspiration”. He reminded us that the Rotary movement is at now a crossroad. Internally, we face an ageing membership. Externally, we are facing a world that is being shaped by rapid developments in IT and the use of social media. This in turn will impact our culture and lifestyle. Within our own clubs we have also to bridge the gap between younger and older members.
Henry emphasized that membership is the foundation of the Rotary movement. Without membership growth the significant role played by our organization will decline. He provided statistics that showedgrowth from of membership of 1,680 to 2,080 members in District 3310 in the last 5 years. After 2016, however, this growth rate seems to tapering off with only a slight growth this year. Henry urged us to grow faster. He said that RI benchmark for a District is 2,750 members and 75 clubs.
DGE Henry said that in the midst of a rapidly changing world it is important for us to change our mindset. This will involve awakening our soul i.e. to wake up our soul with a desire to inspire our Rotarians to do great things. Convince ourselves first on the necessity to change. To do this we need to have Fun, Feel, Happiness and Excitement. Be creative, be passionate, be happy and be excited about Rotary.
This transformation of the mind must also be reflected in the way we offer our service in Rotary. He encouraged us to jump or leap instead of walking. When we take bigger and wider steps we will get to look at the broader picture and not be bogged down by our differences. With this, we will be able to see ourselves not just as a club but as a part of a bigger movement which has a bright future.
Henry urged us to consider long term and sustainable programs, partnerships with others, and tapping on Global Grants.
He said that we need an attitude of flexibility and willingness to help our youths and our Rotaractors. Embrace them to join Rotary.
Mentally be prepared to also renew our motto “Service Above Self”. We must also awaken our members to work as a team. “If you want to build a boat, don’t start by collecting wood, start by awakening your workers – it is about awakening their soul of your workers”.
Henry gave encouraging words that we shall be able to achieve it since Rotarians come from different professions and businesses. Paul Harris said “Rotary is a microcosm of a world at peace, a model which nations will do well to follow”. One of our strengths is that we like action. Paul Harris also said “Rotarians are very much more favorable disposed toward action than they are toward words”.
As Rotarians bear in mind these 4 elements in our role as change maker:-
L – LOVE
E – ENTHUSIASM
A – AUDACIOUS
P – PROOF – LEAD BY EXAMPLE
After taking care of our minds, Henry reminded us take care of our members. He reiterated that membership is our core assets and building block of Rotary. If we want to serve and to be successful in reaching our goals, we must take good care of our members first. Recruitment and retention are very important.
He said that we also need to stay united. Unity is strength. When we are unitedwe can do bigger things. Changes can then be felt across a wider spectrum of society.
In making changes, he said that we must at the same time take care of your family. Yes “go home and love your family” said Mother Teresa. If there is no love domestically, how can we project love to the rest of humanity.
Henry wants us to be aware of Rotary’s new mission statement and to share it with our members.
ROTARY’S NEW MISSION STATEMENT is as follows:-
DGE Henry said that with the new mission statement these are the areas that we can focus our action on.
When we renew your mind, when we show unity among ourselves, when we have strong fellowship, when we partner with others in the community, when we take care of youths, when we are loving towards your family, when we take care of our members and when you make bold changes we will surely inspire others. They will be in turn be inspired to join us and ultimately even to be a part of us.
He ended with a call to rally ourselves under this year’s theme “Be The Inspiration” and show others than Rotary can inspire others and ourselves too to do great things – building better homes, educating more youths and promoting better peace and happiness.
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More details on DISTAS will be published in a separate issue.
