Warm greetings and best wishes to my Rotary family as we step into the new Rotary year 2026–27.
RI President Olayinka Babalola has given us the inspiring message, Create lasting impact, reminding us that the true measure of our service lies in the impact that continues long after a project is completed.
Every new Rotary year brings new leadership, new energy, new goals and new opportunities to serve. Rotary is a leadership academy, creating nearly 400,000 leaders collectively across the world — from clubs, districts, zones and Rotary International.
Dear leaders, this one year of leadership in Rotary is a golden opportunity. Your attitude will determine the altitude you reach. There is a beautiful phrase in Tamil literature: Ulluvathellaam uyarvullal, which means ‘Always aim high.’ When your attitude is high, your actions become powerful, and the results become phenomenal. Ultimately, results and numbers speak for themselves. Pass on the leadership baton with stronger clubs, increased membership and positive numbers.
As a membership organisation, recruiting and retaining members must always remain our highest priorities. I encourage every club to apply the Red-Amber-Green (RAG) analysis to understand where it stands. If your club has fewer than 25 members, move it from the Red zone to Amber by increasing membership to between 25 and 50. Form new clubs and keep them vibrant, because vibrant clubs create engaged and inspired members.
While we focus on growing our current membership, we must also think about Rotary’s long-term sustainability. Therefore, I urge every Rotary leader to engage 2 Rotaractors and 3 Interactors for every Rotarian, following the strategic ratio of 1 Rotarian: 2 Rotaractors: 3 Interactors. This simple formula will help us build a stronger and more sustainable future for Rotary while creating a powerful leadership pipeline for generations to come.
I am proud that our Zones 4, 5, 6 and 7 continue to perform exceptionally well in the global Rotary arena. Let us aim high, remain focused and united, and work together to retain and further strengthen this position in the years ahead.
And as always, let us remember our commitment to the End Polio initiative. Rotary’s greatest legacy to future generations will be a polio-free world. Let us intensify our efforts and continue our work until the poliovirus is completely eradicated from the face of the earth.
As we march towards Rotary’s 125th anniversary in 2030, our Vision 2030 is
clear — 1.25 million Rotarians and 125,000 Rotaractors. To achieve this vision we must all think bigger, act bolder,and aim high.
My dear Rotary family, once again, I warmly welcome each one of you to a beautiful and purposeful Rotary year. Let us work together with dedication, passion and unity. Let us say ‘Yes’ to Rotary. Let’s create lasting impact. And let’s continue to aim high. With warm regards.
M Muruganandam
RI Vice President, 2026-27
RI Director, 2025-27