World Understanding - this is a big theme for the month of February.
So I turn to my trusty laptop :- and type ‘World Understanding’ into Google.
- I then hit the enter key and wait.
- 116,000,000 results are returned.
- I decide to view images and 80,400,000 are returned …. try it yourself!
And believe me - the number one image on my screen top right is:And what do I recognise further down the screen?
It is a very familiar logo (from PRIP Bill Boyd’s year) stating “Lead the Way”
I then go to this web site and I read:
Rotary Club Members are business professional leaders who volunteer in their communities and promote world understanding and peace. Rotary's 31,000 clubs in more than 165 countries and regions encourage high ethical standards and carry out humanitarian projects to address such issues as poverty, health, hunger, education and the environment.
What is this saying to me?
We play a huge role in the promotion of World Understanding.
We play a huge role in the promotion of World Understanding.
We have a responsibility to lead the way as we promote World Understanding in our community.
How do we do this in 9940?
Our District has a fine record in sending Peace Scholars overseas through the aid of the Rotary Foundation. This is at no cost to the District!! Since 2003 we have sent 4 overseas to study with another 2 (Mary Stanley and Elaine Pratley) leaving in July to study in Bangkok. Come to District Conference to hear some of our scholars share their experiences.
- We build peace and World Understanding with every dollar we contribute to The Rotary Foundation. Are you a Centurion? I would recommend you consider becoming one – for less than $2 a week I suggest this is a small part we all can play. Contact our Foundation Administrator (Christopher Robertson) to find out more.
- We build World Understanding when we travel and attend Rotary Clubs in other countries. A Rotarian always has a friendly reception when visiting whatever country or culture.
- We build World Understanding through our weekly programmes and speakers, our service in the community and our work with sister Clubs overseas.
- We build World Understanding as we work to eradicate Polio – great to hear the news as our team of 32 return from the National Immunisation Day in India. And as we say farewell to Xaver Hausner and Ollie McIndoe (now Paul Harris Fellows) who have completed their trek cycling the length of Aotearoa and raising close to $50,000!!
Here is a challenge:
How is your Club and more importantly, what are you personally doing to contribute to world understanding?
Yes – World Understanding is a big topic, but the way we start to achieve this is through our own personal contribution in our Club and community. Let’s continue to lead the way as we Build Communities and Bridge Continents. Surely, what better way is there to serve by doing good in the world.
We all have an important part to play – no matter how small – to make the world a more peaceful place.
DG Howard
