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Rotary
International
Presidents
Message
October 2009
My fellow Rotarians:
There are many service organizations in the world today, but none so old
or so successful as Rotary. There are many reasons for that, and Vocational
Service is one of them. This year, I wish you to place a special emphasis
on Vocational Service, which is sometimes the forgotten Avenue of Service
in Rotary.
High ethical standards in business and personal life are still as
important today as they were in 1905. Indeed, many of the problems our
world is facing today have been caused by the failure to observe such
standards in business affairs.
Vocational Service, in Rotary, means that we are committed to honest
business and unassailable ethics, and that we are equally committed to
using our vocational skills and advantages to help others. The idea is
simple enough – but it is unique to Rotary.
Many service organizations are open to anyone who wishes to join. That
has never been the case in Rotary. Rotarians only seek out as members those
who are qualified – those who have the character, the ability, and
the resolve to make a real contribution to their club.
I have long believed that the bedrock of Rotary is our commitment to
ethical behavior. It has been putting what’s right above what’s
convenient – and Service Above Self – that has made Rotary
different from the rest. That is why we must always remember that whatever
we do, we are each the public face of Rotary. We are each the
standard-bearers of our organization. What one member does, for good or for
ill, reflects on all of us.
So much of what we’ve achieved as an organization has come about
because of the trust the world has in Rotary and in Rotarians. That trust
has been a major part of our success in polio eradication – the fact
that we are known in every community, and known to be people of goodwill
and good hearts.
If we wish to see our organization grow and prosper, we must keep
Vocational Service front and center in our minds and actions. We must seek
out skilled and determined men and women of character. We must do what is
right, even when it is inconvenient. And we must always, always, put
Service Above Self.
John Kenny
President, Rotary International
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