Putting our best foot forward

During my Address in Northern Zamboanga, a pretty little girl named Nizel, daughter of RC Dapitan President Adonis Barbaso, approached and happily said to my spouse, “When I grow up, I will take up Rotary.” Ann Thelma was quick to correct her that Rotary is not a college course. Behind my amusement, I saw amazement and truth in the eyes of the 11-year-old observer. The atmosphere of fellowship and camaraderie that night was so captivating, that the image of Rotary was bolstered; and I felt a sense of pride that Rotary has made such an impression.

Public Image in Rotary International’s newly-approved Strategic Plan is among the three primary concerns, rightfully placed above the core essence statement. Our organization has changed the tradition of keeping silent about its many grandiose projects, to one which encourages us to make public our every activity. Rotary International has kept mum before, and I believe very few of us knew that the polio vaccines came from RI, until the End Polio Now became a battle cry in the later years.

I remember that, as a young boy, I always passed by the pyramidal marker of Rotary at the center of my hometown in San Jose, Antique. My attention was caught by the intriguing Four Way Test. In fact, I had memorized it even before I became a Rotarian, after realizing its significance. For me, it is an effective tool of Rotary awareness, among others, of guiding us in what we think, say or do.

Rotary has made an impression before as boring, old, bald, dinner, socializing, elitist, and many more. In these changing times, it is part of our role, as Rotarians, to disprove this. As I’ve said in my speeches, we have to show them that we are not so old, but handsome men and beautiful women going to weekly meetings and fellowships to make change in the world. We have to get updated, as Rotary offers us the trends to help us keep up with the modern times. Proof of this are the different pilot programs for clubs that RI has approved of this Rotary year. One is the Corporate Membership for the Rotary Club of Boracay in our District.

Rotary’s public image is enhanced by our clubs’ quality and relevant service projects. Individual Rotarians are the essential promoters of Rotary’s image. RI President Kalyan says that we have to tell our Rotary stories. We are already seeing that many Rotarians are telling their stories using digital social media platforms like FaceBook.

We should not be conservative with our strategies in promoting Rotary awareness. And there are endless means and possibilities out there to put our best foot forward.

 

DG Melvin

 

Note: I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all the Rotarians in our District who have donated and shared to those areas ravaged by Typhoon Sendong, particularly Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities.