Service in Action

By Azka Asif, Rotary Service Connections Staff

Service to humanity has been the cornerstone of Rotary since its earliest days, and has been its main purpose ever since. RI President John F. Germ believes no other organization effectively brings together committed, capable professionals in a wide variety of fields, and enables them to achieve ambitious goals like Rotary does.

Throughout the years, Rotary members have supported thousands of projects to provide clean water, fight disease, promote peace, provide basic education, and grow local economies. We’ve also been a leader in the fight to eradicate polio worldwide. In 2016-17, the Rotary Foundation turns 100. That’s a century of Rotary members using their capacity, network, and knowledge to change the world. And that’s definitely something worth celebrating.

The centennial is a great time to share our accomplishments, but also a time for Rotary members to continue to use their unique abilities to catapult Rotary forward to be an even greater force for good in the world.

President Germ is challenging Rotarians to continue changing lives and improving communities all over the world. Here are just a few ways you can do that:

• Share your professional talents through a Vocational Training Team.
• Create lasting change by supporting club and district initiatives on Rotary Ideas.
• Join a discussion group to exchange ideas with fellow members.
• Leverage subject-matter expertise by collaborating with a Rotarian Action Group on a service project.
• Sponsor a Rotary Community Corps to enhance community engagement and ensure project sustainability.
• Collaborate with Rotary’s service partners on a project.
• Foster international understanding and meet prospective partners at a Project Fair.
• Discover new cultures by participating in a Rotary Friendship Exchange.
• Share your passions with Rotarians around the world by joining a Rotary Fellowship.

The 2016-17 Rotary year is a time for Rotary members to celebrate 100 years of Doing Good in the World. Throughout the year showcase your 100 acts of good by posting photos of the impact you are making in your community, along with a brief description onto Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the #100ActsofGood hashtag. Be sure to list all your efforts on Rotary Showcase.

Remember, 2016-17 Presidential Citation will recognize clubs that achieve an array of accomplishments intended to make Rotary stronger. Encourage your clubs to focus on the Humanitarian Service goals listed in the Presidential Citation brochure.

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Related:

Read more about John Germ’s 2016-17 theme, Rotary Serving Humanity.