President Speaks — December 2014
Dear Fellow Rotarians,
If you take a look at the Rotary calendar, it’s easy to see where our priorities as an organisation lie. The Rotary year begins in July; in August we mark Membership Month, in September we celebrate New Generations, October is for Vocational Service, and so on, turning our attention to different topics that are important in Rotary.
It’s a great idea to do this, because it reminds us to talk about subjects that we might otherwise overlook during our busy Rotary year. But we all know that every topic on our calendar — from fellowship to our Foundation —
is important. All of them are part of what makes Rotary what it is, and what makes all of us Rotarians.
In Rotary, December is Family Month. Looking back on my years as a Rotarian, I have seen how important family is in Rotary — and how important Rotary can be to our families.
My wife, Corinna, chose to join Rotary just a few months ago, after many years as a Rotary spouse. All three of our children are also Rotarians. All of them joined their own club, in their own time. All of them have found unique interests in Rotary. As we have watched them find their own paths, we have been struck by how wonderful it is to have so many members of our family involved in Rotary service.
Our conversations are also a wonderful way to teach our children, through our own actions, what is really important in life.
I can think of no better lessons to teach our families than the lessons of Rotary service.
Rotary gives us something good that we can all do together. With Rotary, we always have interesting things to talk about at dinner. We are all involved in different service, in different clubs, so when we sit down together, we are talking about humanitarian needs of every kind, in every part of the world. There is always something new to learn.
Our conversations are also a wonderful way to teach our children, through our own actions, what is really important in life. They learn about what life is like in different parts of the world, and how all of us have an obligation to help others when we can. I can think of no better lessons to teach our families than the lessons of Rotary service.
I hope that in this Rotary year, many of you will encourage your family members to join Rotary, Rotaract or Interact. Bringing your family into Rotary doesn’t just Light Up Rotary — it lights up your own lives as well.
Gary C.K. Huang
President, Rotary International
