As the New Year creeps in we have all awoken to the fact that 2007 has long past and we have probably forgotten some of the challenges we faced and how we have addressed them.
We tend to grow and change with life and when confronted directly we naturally shy away.
Those, that grab the opportunity and run with their vision, and that give leadership to those around them, who are successful.
We are a unique race; we have the ability to harness people’s spirit, their passion and then translate that into action that can have profound effects on everyone.
Rotary has that effect on 1.2 million Rotarians and we all have a desire and a passion to make the world a better place.
We sometimes fail to take stock of what we have achieved, especially if it is in the face of adversity; this is why we need to take stock and reflect on where we have been and where we are going.
The contributions of the Gates Foundation to the eradication of Polio in collaboration with The Rotary Foundation are outstanding achievements and recognition of what Rotary does so well. We can use this example when promoting Rotary.
The Rotary Club of Sydney does the same thing in working with Foundations and corporate partners. The Soukup Scholarships, University NSW Scholarships, the Inspire Foundation and Caltex Teachers Awards are outstanding examples of our efforts and achievements.
Theses programs are all about helping young people realising their potential.
This is what Rotary is all about, helping people to realise their potential.
We need to do more of it.
We often see people who have absolute talent and fail to realise their true potential and the potential of their organisation, either because they do not have a vision or they are not supported by their constituents; This occurs too often in organisations and true leaders are sometimes left to resolve unproductive activities which in the end add no value to the organisation or members they represent.
The recent assassination of Benazir Bhutto is an example of a leader who was unable to fulfill her potential in the face of an enormous weight of historical, political and cultural baggage. She was in her prime and the opportunity for her to resolve party differences and take a country to a level that would allow some form of democracy; something Australia has never experienced.
We have and live in a great country where we have freedom; in Rotary we aspire to share and work for peace and the community to ensure that everyone has a better place in which to live.
Let’s build on what we have created and let’s work on making our club a stronger, united and even more successful than we have been in the past, so we can carry on the great work and initiatives that have given our club the reputation it has today.
See you Tuesday.