A Forward-Looking Movement

January 7, 2008 

Each year, as New Year’s Day recedes in our minds, and the months of the new year lay before us, each day represents a blank canvas. 

It is up to us to determine the nature of that canvas. Will it be a Chagall or Renoir? Or a Grand Master, like a Rembrandt, Da Vinci or Botticelli! Will it be a utilitarian canvas such as the writing on a bag of feed or the instructions to a practical tool or a great invention. Maybe it will be the next inspirational novel… Will it be a canvas that indulges in the largesse of life, centering on our own wants and needs, or will it be a reflection of the needs of others – and our corresponding ability to meet those needs? 

The future is unknown and unknowable. No one knows what tomorrow will bring.

The future of Rotary is shrouded in expectant mystery. It is for you my new Rotarian friends to aid in the unfurling of the Rotary destiny. Paul Harris’ Remarks to the 1914 RI Convention in Houston, Texas    

But while Rotary’s Founder, Paul Harris, recognized the mystery and expectancy of life, he was hopeful for the future. In The Founder of Rotary Harris states …the grandeur of Rotary must be in the days to come…  and then …there will always be enough to do…. 

So, our charge as Rotarians is to reveal that part of the mystery that is within us to reveal, and to do that portion which is ours to do. In The Rotary Leadership Institute we prepare upcoming club leaders to assume the mantle of our Founder. It is at once weighty and simple. We can talk of societal issues, imbalance of socio-economic power, and infrastructure deficits. Or, we can just do that which needs to be done, one Rotarian, one Rotary Club, or one hand- at a time.