Peace Through Service

The theme for the Rotary Year 2012-13 announced by the incoming President of Rotary International, Sakuji Tanaka, unveiled at the International Assembly, is :

“PEACE THROUGH SERVICE”

Peace, in all of the ways that we can understand it, is a real goal and a realistic goal for Rotary. Peace is not something that can only be achieved through agreements, by governments, or through heroic struggles. It is something that we can find and that we can achieve, every day and in many simple ways.

No definition is right, and no definition is wrong,
 However we use the word, this is what peace means for us

“In Rotary, our business is not profit. Our business is peace,” . “Our reward is not financial, but the happiness and satisfaction of seeing a better, more peaceful world, one that we have achieved through our own efforts.”
Tanaka will ask Rotarians to focus their energy on supporting the three priorities of the RI Strategic Plan , he said. He added that he will ask the incoming leaders to promote three Rotary peace forums, to be held in Hiroshima, Japan; Berlin; and Honolulu, Hawaii, USA.

Why is Bangkok so exciting for Rotarians this year?

Check this out with PDG Shaju Peter. And of course, do not go alone. Its got to be a family outing.

Why you should be in Bangkok in May 2012?

Rotary International Director Yash Das shares his views and lists out the 4 most pressing reasons for all Rotarians in India especially, to be there in Bangkok for the RI Convention, 6-9 May 2012.

Change with Continuity...thy name is Rotary!

Kalyan Banerjee, Rotary's 101st president, and the third from India, is our new leader this year, and William B. Boyd, of the Rotary Club of Pakuranga, Auckland, New Zealand, will take over as Rotary Foundation trustee chair. 

John Hewko has become Rotary International’s 12th general secretary on 1 July. He has said his priorities include improving Rotarians’ connections with the Secretariat and increasing awareness about what the Secretariat can offer. 

Other Changes include:

• Four pilot programs will begin 1 July, designed to improve recruitment and retention, allow for flexibility in club operations and structure, and give clubs an opportunity to explore new and innovative ways to promote member diversity -- all goals of the RI Strategic Plan. For each of three pilot programs – corporate member, associate member, and innovative and flexible Rotary club -- 200 clubs have been selected to participate, and about 125 will take part in a satellite club pilot program.  
• The Changemaker Award will accompany the Presidential Citation during the 2011-12 Rotary year. The award will encourage Rotarians to focus on change and will recognize clubs that make an extraordinary impact through their work in the Avenues of Service.  
• The World Community Service and Rotary Volunteers programs will be phased out as of 30 June, replaced by a new model designed to expand the resources available to clubs for connecting and partnering with one another. The RI Board approved a shift to a resource and support model for RI programs to reinforce the priorities and goals of the RI Strategic Plan.
• Efforts to enhance Rotary’s public image will be undertaken by 49 Rotary public image coordinators (RPICs) working in partnership with their zone’s RI director, regional Rotary Foundation coordinator, Rotary coordinator, and district governors. RPICs, who are selected by the RI president or Rotary Foundation trustee chair, have professional expertise in public relations, journalism, or communications and will help support the RI Strategic Plan by conveying effective public relations practices to district leaders.
• The Rotarian magazine launches its digital edition with the July issue. Subscribers can now choose to receive either the print or digital edition, or both. This would be a good time to buy a subscription for your Interact or Rotaract club, to inspire them with Rotary’s breadth.  
• Rotary clubs’ annual per capita dues to Rotary International will increase to US$51 in 2011-12. The 2010 Council on Legislation also set dues at $52 for 2012-13 and $53 for 2013-14.