[D9640general] [eFlash_Rotary] Digest Number 807

[Garry Krischock]

<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/eFlash_Rotary/message/1445;_ylc=X3oDMTJxcXZ1Y
3R1BF9TAzk3MzU5NzE1BGdycElkAzI3ODYwNzYEZ3Jwc3BJZAMxNzA1MDY0MDg2BG1zZ0lkAzE0N
DUEc2VjA2Rtc2cEc2xrA3Ztc2cEc3RpbWUDMTIxNTA3NjQzNg--> 1528: President Lee
addresses Chicago Rotary and stresses diversity 

 

Wed Jul 2, 2008 6:49 pm (PDT) 

 

RI President stresses diversity
By Arnold R. Grahl 

Rotary International President Dong Kurn Lee stressed that a diverse 
Rotary is a strong Rotary during a visit to the Rotary Club of 
Chicago on 1 July.
As part of a long-standing tradition for RI presidents, Lee addressed 
members of the Chicago club, the birthplace of Rotary, as one of his 
first official acts. He stressed the need to bring in new leadership 
to take over for the old as part of the 2008-09 RI theme, Make Dreams 
Real.

"Every Rotarian that we bring into our clubs helps to Make Dreams 
Real," Lee said, to a packed second-floor room in the elegant Union 
League Club in downtown Chicago. "Every single one is another pair of 
hands, and another mind, and another heart to do Rotary's work."

Lee called on every district to increase membership by 10 percent and 
to add two clubs during this Rotary year.

"If we do not bring in younger members, we will miss out on a great 
deal of energy and expertise," he added. "And we will not be training 
a new generation of members to become club presidents, district 
governors, and senior RI leaders in the years to come."

Lee said the membership of a healthy Rotary club is made up of men 
and women of different ages, vocations, professions, skills, and 
talents. A club that is not diversified is less able to conduct 
ambitious projects and has a narrower range of resources.

As part of the push for growth, Lee asked Rotarians to be creative in 
promoting membership and to expand their quest for new members. 

"There are many qualified professionals who may simply be overlooked 
because their professions are not typical for Rotary members," he 
said.

At the International Assembly in January, Lee unnveiled the 2008-09 
theme and service emphases, urging Rotarians to become involved in 
clean water, literacy, and health and hunger projects aimed at 
reducing child mortality. He also encouraged them to contribute to 
Rotary's US $100 Million Challenge to eradicate polio.

"We will Make Dreams Real by giving children hope and a chance at a 
future," Lee said.

Chicago club member Ruth Ann Watkins said it is fitting for the new 
RI president to begin his year at the club. 

"Rotary started here. It carries historical significance and 
continues our focus on the future," Watkins said.

Club president Arol Augsburger, who was inducted during the meeting, 
said Lee's remarks hit all the right notes. He also praised Lee's 
theme choice: "We reach a much broader audience, and it broadens our 
sphere of influence to promote diversity."

Source: Rotary News
Courtesy: eFlash_Rotary

 

 

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