Introduction of President Rotary International Ian Risely during his visit to Mumbai on 12th December 2017
A man who has lived well for others;
A man who has been loved much by all;
A man who has gained respect from all;
A man who has accomplished all his tasks with commitment and compassion.
A man who is an achiever of success at every important stage of life;
A man who has neither lacked appreciation nor failed to express it;
A man who has always looked for the best in others and gives the best he has;
A man who believes in unconditional charity;
A man whose life is an inspiration to all of us;
A man who believes in what he does and does what he believes
Yes Friends, I am referring to a person whom I know so well and with whom I have worked as the Director Rotary International and Trustee of the Rotary Foundation ,President Ian Risely.
I have to start by thanking the Rotarian who was the President of the Rotary Club of Sandringham, a beachside suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia in 1978 who prevented the new charter member Ian Risely from resigning from the Rotary club where he had just joined that year.
And why did Ian Risely wanted to resign? He did not approve of RI’s policy of not admitting women into Rotary and said that he cannot be a member of an organisation that discriminates.
Fortunately the club President persuaded Ian Risely not to resign and advised him to fight for women’s admission by staying in the club. The club members heard Ian Risely speak and voted to have women in Rotary.
Ian Risely knew the answer to the famous question,
“What is that one most important desire every woman has within her heart?” Every woman desired to have the freedom to choose and take every decision on their own and this is what Juliet Risely, Ian’s lovely spouse did when she became the charter President of the Rotary Club of Hampton in 1995.
Both of them served as District Governors of RI District 9810, Ian during 1999-2000 and Juliet during 2011-2012.
They were supportive of each other but equally independent. Listening to the stories from their daughter Jill and son Andrew and the four grandchildren while relishing their chardonnay always fascinates this couple while they stay at their home in Moorooduc, a rural town in Melbourne.
If you are travelling to Moorooduc there are many attractions such as the Devilbend Natural Features Reserve, Mornington Railway and Quarry Flora and Fauna Reserve, but Ian’s house is still the top attraction for Rotarians.
His friends in Rotary tell, “If you have got an idea, tell Ian because he will take it on board.”
Rotarians seeking his advice is a routine thing and whenever a subject is discussed you can hear someone say, “I want to know what Ian thinks about this.” The huge project of Interplast, dedicated to reconstructive surgery to people with conditions including cleft palates and burns saw all the 21 Districts in Australia supporting it and six more from New Zealand.
Ian, as the District Governor, came on stage in a race car during the District Conference and ever since the other DGs have had to come up with innovative ideas to enter the stage.
One DG came on a horse! Ian says, “Fun is a vital element of the organisation but Rotary must make a difference.”
To Ian, flexibility is important and he supported the way clubs could meet and the amendments that were passed in 2016 COL showed he decided that change should come from within if Rotary has to grow for another hundred more years.
As a successful accountant by profession, Ian always asks clubs to quantify their work so that the people outside can know how many million dollars are spent and how many volunteers hours are put in to make the world a better place by Rotarians.
Leadership positions come to those who know that the really important things in life come through a long term commitment and the rewards are as much in the journey as in the destination.
Ian’s journey in Rotary has proved that while it comes to service, “Good isn’t enough.” His commitment to Rotary’s service is unmatched.
Talking about his Rotary friends, he always says, “Rotarians helped me to understand Rotary and as a result I have become even more of who I wanted to be.”
Ian has an impact on others beyond what he had thought possible, of walking into a room and changing by his presence, what happens there.
What Rotarians really wanted from Ian is some sense of connection and when they saw it in him, they latched onto it. As a leader he has a lot of people connected to him. That is what leadership is all about.
Rotarians around the world who worked with Ian have said, “I will do it for him because of the connection I feel with him.”
Ian established his vision and what can come of that vision in Rotary. He always finds ways to move others ever closer to the vision of making Rotary a much more stronger and vibrant movement.
He wants us to experience success so that it will build our confidence and generate energy and commitment that will sustain Rotary for another century and more.
Ian is our leader, a leader of lot of partners and he is up their as our representative. He is us, in some real sense of the word. I am sure every one of the 1.2 million Rotarians are saying, “I am glad this guy is the leader right now.”
Ladies & Gentlemen,
If you adore a mild mannered gentleman, you don’t have far to go;
If you love a pleasant personality, he is right in front of you;
If you honour and idealize a knowledgeable Rotarian, you don’t need to look elsewhere;
If you cherish and desire to be a friend to an ethical professional, you have him here;
If you wish to see a person who loves Honesty, Purity & Truth, he is very much amongst us;
If you respect a person who believes in the motto of Rotary, he is not distant;
If you desire to meet a very fine orator and a star of Rotary, you have just to meet this fine Rotarian, our friend and above all a friend of Rotary ideals –
who is the protector for the helpless, guide for the lost ones, ship for those to cross oceans, sanctuary for those in danger, lamp for those in darkness, a refuse for those who need shelter, Rotarian to all in need – our Chief Guest Président, Rotary International, Ian Risely .
12 December 2017