JULY 2009
A message from Rotary International President John Kenny
In Rotary, everything we are, and everything we aspire to become, lies in the hands of Rotarians in their clubs. If our clubs are congenial and our meetings well run, if our service is carefully planned and competently carried out, if our members are qualified, honest, and respected in their vocations and communities, then all of Rotary will thrive. This is why I say "The Future of Rotary Is in Your Hands".
Water, health and hunger, and literacy will be our emphasis in the year ahead. In this Rotary year, I ask Rotarians everywhere to continue to learn from our experiences and to build upon our successes. I ask you all to continue to work for the health and well-being of not only children, but their families and people everywhere. I ask you particularly to focus on water and sanitation, as the scarcity of clean water is an increasingly serious issue in many parts of the world.
We must be aware that ours is only one community, of one country, of the many communities and countries in this world. In every one of those communities, there is work to be done. As Rotarians, we will not stand idly by. As Rotarians, we will accept our responsibility. We can. We must. For we know that Rotary is only as great as its clubs - and our clubs are only as great as the members within them.