================
Dear Fellow Rotarians,
It's traditional that the first Rotarian magazine of the Rotary
year carries a profile of the incoming RI president and his or her
family. I've always read those profiles with interest, never giving
much thought to the possibility that one day, I might be the one
bringing a writer from the magazine to my Rotary club meeting! I
have never liked a lot of attention, and the idea of having my picture
on the magazine cover made me a bit uncomfortable. But when I saw
the photo the editors chose, I smiled. Because the star of that
picture definitely isn't me, or even my wife, Esther. It's the flock
of flamingos, none of which could care less about Rotary, all strutting
past us in the same direction. All of them — except one.
I couldn't think of a more appropriate image to reflect the message
I want to convey to Rotarians. That one flamingo, going the other
way, represents so much of what we need to do in Rotary. That flamingo
knows everyone's going one way. She sees it. But she also sees that
maybe the path they're on isn't the best path. Maybe, just maybe,
there's a better path over there, and she wants to get a good look
before she goes marching on with her friends. And if, when she does
stop and look, that new path does seem better, she'll call the rest
of the crew to come over and check it out with her. And maybe, just
maybe, they'll all choose that better path together.
Change is hard. And the longer we've been going one
way, the more friends we have with us, the harder it is to be the
one who turns around and does it differently. But change —
not change for its own sake, but careful, considered, goal-directed
change — is essential for any organization that wants to evolve,
stay relevant, and move forward in the right direction.
So take a look at that picture, but don't look at
me. I'm not the one that cover's about. That cover is about the
flamingo. It's about having the curiosity, the courage, and the
conviction to look at different paths that might be better —
whether you're out for a stroll on a beautiful Bahamas morning,
or helping chart the course for our organization.
Barry Rassin
President 2018-19
Trustee Chair's Message - Dec.
2018
Ron D. Burton, Trustee Chair
2018-19
Trustee chair's message
For many of us, December is a time of reflection
about the year that is about to end. We think about the
things we resolved to do and compare that with what we actually
got done. Many times we surprise ourselves when we realize
we achieved even more than we had hoped. We also start thinking
about the new year and, with the best of intentions, commit
ourselves to even greater accomplishments.
It is a time when our thoughts turn to the
things that are important to us — and nothing is as
important as family. We are grateful for those we love and
for those who love us. For Rotarians, that encompasses a
large number of people around the world, because our concept
of family includes not only our immediate relatives but
also those many friends we have made over the years sharing
Rotary. Each of us is much like a stone thrown into a pond,
creating many ripples. When our ripples intersect with the
ripples of our family and friends, we truly have an impact
on our world.
We also think about the organizations that
are important to us and that exist because of our generosity
as well as the generosity of others. We voluntarily support
these organizations and generously contribute our time,
talent, and treasure to further their work and make our
world a better place for all. And through this work, our
family gets even larger.
Our family and our impact continue to grow
each year through our commitment to and support of our Rotary
Foundation. Working together creates a synergy that allows
one person to truly make a difference. And when we all work
together and commit ourselves to a cause, there is no limit
to what we can accomplish. In that process we are bound
together and become an even more close-knit family.
So at this special time of year, as you reflect
on your family and the good things in your life, think about
your Rotary legacy. Now is the time to make your lasting
commitment so that the important work of our Foundation
will continue in perpetuity.
Ron D. Burton
Trustee Chair 2018-19
Copyright © 2003-04
Rotary eClub NY1 * Updated 2018
Design & Maintenance of this site by TechnoTouch
e-Strategists
