Being installed to the presidency for another year was not an easy decision. The expectations and responsibilities are enormous. I took on the challenge because I believe in everyone's sense of responsibility and passion to serve. I am banking on everyone's cooperative effort to make this Rotary Year more fruitful. I am certain that will our new batch of members and officers, we will even surpass our successes last year. The Future of Rotary is in Your Hands. This year's theme is quite a deviation from the usual short phrases but this time it was made in a complete sentence, making the interpretation straight-forward. YOU and the FUTURE of ROTARY. It places on each one of us the gigantic task of preserving Rotary's tradition of service and making it work for future generations of Rotarians.
The role of a Rotarian is tedious, way beyond our usual chores, but to desire for something good, we have to start somewhere. We have to begin with ourselves.
The late King of Pop, Michael Jackson, illustrated it simply and rhythmically....{Man in the Mirror}
I'm Gonna Make A Change,
For Once In My Life
It's Gonna Feel Real Good,
Gonna Make A Difference
Gonna Make It Right . . .
As I, Turn Up The Collar On MyFavourite Winter Coat
This Wind Is Blowin' My Mind
I See The Kids In The Street,
With Not Enough To Eat
Who Am I, To Be Blind?
Pretending Not To See Their Needs
A Summer's Disregard,
A Broken Bottle Top
And A One Man's Soul
They Follow Each Other OnThe Wind Ya' Know'
Cause They Got NowhereTo Go
That's Why I Want You To Know
I'm Starting With The Man In The Mirror
I'm Asking Him To Change
His Ways And No Message Could Have Been Any Clearer
If You Wanna Make The World
A Better Place
It is my privilege to be working again with you all and I do believe that every man in the mirror will do his responsibility in ensuring the future....
With God's grace, we will prevail...
{Pictures are courtesy of PE Jerry Lames}