DG Pravin's February Message
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World Understanding Month
Some 35 years ago, I joined Rotary because it could provide me with valuable business contacts. However, I soon learned about all the different areas that my Rotary club was involved in. I was very intrigued with the fourth object of Rotary, namely: "The advancement of international understanding, goodwill and peace through a world of fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service."
I was impressed. Rotary offered me an opportunity to be of service not only in my own community but also be of service internationally. That was 35 years ago. Now more than ever, Rotarians are still challenged to just do that – promote peace, understanding and goodwill among the people of the world. This may seem a daunting task, but with over 1.2 million Rotarians spread across every continent, we can make this happen.
This month we not only recognize and celebrate the 105th anniversary of Rotary, but we also recognize February as World Understanding Month on the Rotary calendar. The ABCs of Rotary tells us that World Understanding Month is a chance for every club to pause, plan and promote the Fourth Avenue of Service – Rotary's continued quest for goodwill, peace and understanding among people of the world. And so, as we celebrate Rotary's anniversary, it is also a time to celebrate your club's many successes, especially those initiatives which promote goodwill, peace and world understanding.
The Group Study Exchange program is one of the ways in which Rotary fulfils it commitment to the fourth object of Rotary. Our district hosted a team of four educators & a Rotarian team leader from Belize last October. A week ago, a team of four young professionals from our district led by a Rotarian Douglas Manley from Fredonia started a month long visit to Belize & Guatemala. Over 535 such teams of young professionals are participating in GSE program this year. Over 5000 professionals will promote international understanding and goodwill this year. Then there is the Ambassadorial Scholar program, peace scholarships and thousands of matching grants that provide funding for well deserved projects all over the world. These programs are meant to fulfill Rotary's objective of World Understanding.
All this is made possible by contributions by Rotarians to YOUR Rotary Foundation. If you have already given your share to the Rotary Foundation I thank you from the bottom of my heart. If you still have not contributed to the Rotary Foundation, there is still time to do so. You can either contribute on line at rotary.org or give a check to your club treasurer who will pass it on to the Rotary Foundation.
Remember, The Future of Rotary is In Your Hands.
Your Fellow Rotarian and Friend
Pravin
Governor 2009-2010
Best of Friends District