Frank Deaver Peace Editorials

     Check in at any major hotel in the world, turn on the television, and you are almost certain to find CNN, the Cable News Network that has not only reported the news, but also helped shape world events.  Only 25 years ago one man, Ted Turner, envisioned a 24-hour all-news network, and changed the way the world sees breaking news. 

     CNN is testimony to The Power of One: one man who dared to challenge contemporary thinking that such a news channel could not survive.

     Countless other examples testify to major accomplishments that originated with the vision and effort of just one person.  An idea is nurtured, tested, refined – and change is set in motion.  Change begins with The Power of One – when one person steps forward with an idea, and puts that idea into action.

     The Power of One: Paul Harris reached out to three friends for fellowship, and a century later Rotary includes more than 1.2 million who share in fellowship and service.

     The Power of One: A New Zealand Rotarian envisioned an exchange for business and professional people, giving birth to Group Study Exchange. 

     The Power of One: Marion Bunch individually challenged the ravages of AIDS in Africa, and she now heads a Rotary effort to combat the disease.

     The Power of One: An Interact student became concerned for the Rotary PolioPlus program, and organized the “Midnight March for Polio Eradication.”  From 8 p.m. to midnight, club members marched around the high school athletic field, with recruited contributions for their participation.  The march delivered 2800 polio-fighting dollars to their sponsoring Rotary Club.

     Indeed, one person can change the world. Mother Teresa brought hope to the destitute of Calcutta.  Nelson Mandela influenced a peaceful transition in South Africa.  Martin Luther King inspired the American civil rights movement. The boy Samuel, In Judeo-Christian history, responded to a voice in the night with the dedicated reply, “Here I am, send me.”

     Each day, countless individuals quietly seize the moment: teachers, nurses, doctors, clergy, social workers, others. With each decision, each act of service, each expression of compassion, individuals make the world a better place.

     Even a nameless individual is sometimes that one person who changes the course of events.  Just one vote gave Adolf Hitler leadership of the Nazi Party.  Just one vote kept Aaron Burr from becoming US president and elected Thomas Jefferson.  Just one vote gave statehood to Texas, California, Oregon, Washington, and Idaho.  Just one vote, but who cast it?  We cannot know, but that one person made a difference.

     Countless other examples could be cited, but what about each of us?  I am only one; you are only one.  We cannot do everything, but we can do something – and there is no excuse for our doing nothing.  Together as Rotarians, there is virtually no limit to what we may accomplish.  But each Rotary effort must start with someone.

     Mother Teresa perhaps said it best:  "I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples."  That is a challenge to Rotarians.  Together we can accomplish much, but the first stone must be cast – by one Rotarian.  The Power of One.