And Now, a Word from RI President, Ron Burton

Fellow Rotarians,

        Our goal in 2013-14 is to Engage Rotary, Change Lives . All of us know that Rotary has incredible potential to do good work. It’s time to recognize how much more we could be doing and start working on new ways to turn that potential into reality. We’re going to do this by engaging Rotarians – by getting them involved, by getting them inspired, and by making sure that all Rotarians know just what a gift they have in Rotary.

We’re going to make sure that the work we do in Rotary is solid, effective, and sustainable. And we’re going to make sure that Rotary itself will last – by committing to our goal of 1.3 million Rotarians in our clubs by the year 2015.

That goal is a little different from membership goals we’ve had in the past. The goal isn’t just bringing in new members. The goal is growing Rotary. The goal is making Rotary bigger, not just with more members, but with more involved, engaged, motivated members who will be the ones to lead us into our future.

Each of us has our own reason for joining Rotary – but I believe we all want to make a difference. We all want to be doing something meaningful. That is absolutely essential for us to remember when we talk about membership.

We’re not asking just anyone to join Rotary. We’re looking to attract busy, successful, motivated people who care. We’re asking them to take their valuable time and give it to Rotary. So if they say yes, and they come and join our club, then we’d better be showing them that their time in Rotary is well spent.

We have to make sure that every Rotarian, in every club, has a meaningful job – one that makes a real difference to the club and the community. Because when you’re doing something meaningful in Rotary, Rotary is meaningful to you.

In Rotary, we all have something to give. At every stage of our lives and our careers, Rotary has something for all of us – a way to let us do more, be more, and give more. Rotary gives our lives more meaning, more purpose, and greater satisfaction. And the more we give through Rotary, the more Rotary gives back to us in return.