Governor's
Message |
A new era for Rotary | ||
|
Dear Fellow
Rotarians,
Once
a year, at a District Assembly, an incoming District Governor will deliver
his speech “Our Year Together”. Today, it is my singular pleasure and
honour to stand before this august crowd to share with all of you my theme
“Our Year Together”. As
we move into the New Millennium we will be experiencing a very exciting
age, principally propelled by rapid changes and improvements in
information technology, biotechnology and life science. The changing
economic and social landscape will result in new challenges. Information
technology has made the world more connected, borderless and timeless. “Our
Year Together” will be the eye-opener for the future direction of
Rotary. We are indeed privileged to lead Rotary into this New Millennium.
“Our Year Together” will be the year when every Rotarian in our
district will be the torchbearer in unison for Rotary as we enter into an
uncharted era. I
appeal to all Rotarians in our District, particularly those that are
attending the 10th District Assembly, to work together as one
big team and family, with shared purposes and commitment, to promote
Rotary ideals and in furtherance of its object SERVICE ABOVE SELF. At the
same time, we must never forget our other twin pillars, Fellowship, which
is unique to Rotary. ESPIRIT DE CORPS – a shared purpose and fellowship
of TOGETHER – will always be our underlying strength. TOGETHER,
we can act as catalyst to promote the impetus for change TOGETHER, we can
energise our resources and strength, not only with our clubs and District
but also Rotary world-wide, to undertake community service, educational
and cultural projects for humanity. TOGETHER,
we shall adopt and put into practice, Incoming R.I. President Frank J
Devlyn’s ‘CREATE AWARENESS and TAKE ACTION” in our club, our
communities and our world. The
2000/2001 theme calls upon Rotarians to be proactive, rather than
reactive. It is only when we become proactive that we can create awareness
on our strength, weakness, needs and problems. Only when we have created
awareness, we can then move into the next step i.e. TAKE ACTION. TOGETHER,
we can promote this proactive theme “CREATE AWARENESS and TAKE ACTION”
and enhance the image of Rotary. “OUR
YEAR TOGETHER” will be a year of challenges. The economy of this part of
the world has not fully recovered from the economic turmoil in the last
three years. Against this backdrop, the world has also experienced human
sufferings from drought, earthquakes, flood, in addition to continuing
poverty particularly in under-developed countries. There is still a
constant need to help the poor, the needy, the under-privileged and the
disadvantaged within our communities and in our world. TOGETHER we must
respond to the call for humanity. Within
our organisation, we will continue with the New Leadership Plan. I am
extremely pleased to announce that I have the privileged to have the
services of twelve able and senior Rotarians serving as Assistant
Governors, supported by equally experienced and able District Officers and
enthusiastic President Elects and their officers. They are the key members
of my team. In
“OUR YEAR TOGETHER”, in response to the call from Rotary
International, we have two new District positions, namely District Task
Force Coordinator and District Internet Communication Coordinator. As many
of you are aware, Rotary International has this year established eighteen
(18) Task Forces to provide support to Rotary Clubs in various avenues of
supports. A new committee, District Strategic Planning Committee, has been
established comprising all Past District Governors. The underlying
emphasis is to make Rotary information and support more accessible, more
user friendly and our District and clubs more effective. Let
us TOGETHER, overcome any difference or disagreement that may arise from
time to time, close rank and be united to serve Rotary and its ideal of
service. Let us TOGETHER have a good year and open the door for many more
good years to come. This
coming Rotary Year 2000/2001 will have two major events involving Rotary,
namely: (a)
The Polio Plus programme, where Rotary’s involvement has received
worldwide coverage, is reaching a critical stage. If no polio case is
reported within the next five years i.e. 2005, than the world will be
declared “polio-free”. (b)
The meeting of the next council on legislation which will be in the
year 2001. Our District has nominated Dr Philbert Chin to be our delegate
and we can look forward to useful contribution from our delegate to ensure
that Rotary adapts to changing environment. I
must not forget my peers. They are the important core members of TOGETHER.
They are the Rotary’s torchbearers. They are the leaders, the
initiators, the doers and very importantly Rotary’s ambassadors of
goodwill and hope. In
conclusion, I will like to quote Royce Abbey, R.I. President 1988-1989 who
said “I
am convinced the future of our communities and our countries lies in what
we do as individuals, as private citizens, and Rotary can provide a
vehicle to enable our membership to play a major role by positive
action-oriented programmes designed to make a difference. The
friendship formed during this process is the hallmark of Rotary”. TOGETHER,
my fellow Rotarians, we will serve humanity and enjoy the unique blend of
Rotary fellowship. Thank
you. |