Frank Deaver Rotary Editorials

     June and July.  Months of transition in Rotary.  One administration comes to an end and another assumes its responsibilities.

     The transition takes place all the way from local Rotary Clubs to the presidency of Rotary International.  At both levels, the impact is the same; only the geographic scope of leadership is different.  In both instances new leadership is inaugurated, and embarks on a year-long journey of high expectations.

     To address the presidency of RI, I can testify personally to the leadership skills and engaging personality of our new international president.  Glenn Estess is from my district.  He was District Governor in 1979-80, the year I was President-Elect.  Then and now, Glenn was and is an example of dedicated Rotary service.  I am pleased and proud to call him my friend.

     The leadership transition in local clubs is much more visible, because every member has the privilege of personal acquaintance with club leadership, comparable to my acquaintance with Glenn.

     For nearly a decade, one of my duties as a journalism teacher was to be adviser to the school yearbook.  Each year, I encouraged the staff to adopt the slogan, “Beat Last Year!” I explained that this is no criticism of previous years.  It only asks them to begin from previous successes and move on to even greater accomplishments. 

     Similarly, new officers in Rotary will build on the solid foundation laid by their predecessors.  Their reach is higher because they stand on the shoulders of those who went before them.  Outgoing officers continue to be a valuable resource, offering a seamless transition and an ongoing source of knowledge and experience.

     What an opportunity, a challenge, an honor, to serve in this Centennial Year!  We build not only on the past year’s foundation, but on a century of Rotary service!  Just look what four men in the original club initiated!  Now nearly 32,000 clubs, in 166 countries, with more than 1.2 million members!  And worldwide, thousands of presidents and their team of officers and directors now take leadership positions.

     New club presidents, your fellow members have expressed confidence in your leadership by electing you to the highest club office. You must not just “hold the office” and preside at meetings.  You should lead your club to enlarge its membership, and to expand its service functions.  You are expected to support the goals of RI President Glenn and your District Governor.

     And presidents-elect, this is not just your year-in-waiting.  It is your opportunity to prepare for the following year, to observe and learn.  Your success as next president will depend on your attention this year to the details of the office you will inherit.

     Club secretaries and treasurers, your duties are critical to the success of the club.  Your work is perhaps less visible, but the club would be severely handicapped without your efficient services.  Secretaries keep minutes, membership rolls, and other club records, and assist in correspondence.  Treasurers collect dues, pay bills, and maintain financial records.  The management of club business rests squarely on you.  Your efficiency allows officers and directors to maximize club successes.

     Rotary’s four Avenues of Service are typically headed by club directors. Because Rotary exists for service, directors assume responsibilities that make the club more than just a lunch-bunch.  Club, Community, Vocational, and International are arenas of opportunity, but without committed leadership many of those opportunities would go unfulfilled.  Directors, you must be true leaders, envisioning new opportunities of service.

     In the news recently, we read of the 20-ton cornerstone laid in New York for the skyscraper that will replace the twin towers destroyed by terrorists.  It will take years for that new building to reach its full height.  But each year, each month, each day, workers will build on the work of those who labored on previous days.  They will build on the solid foundation of the cornerstone and other equally solid base materials.

     New officers of Rotary must similarly build on the past, but aggressively reach for new heights of service.