DISTRICT TEAM TRAINING SEMINAR
What a pleasure it is to be in your prestigious District & to address the leaders who will be there to assist and help DGE Babu Peram during the next Rotary year to make things happen and motivate the Club leadership to be the inspiration. I thank you for your hospitality & for this privilege.
A District Team Training Seminar is a university that imparts knowledge, information and guidelines to the District leaders who are students of Rotary College.
In Rotary, we deal with equals and therefore it is essential for the District leaders to understand how to deal with equals and some more experienced members in various Clubs .
What a marvellous, fascinating unforgettable mission! What a serious & difficult mission! To be a leader amongst equals- every year in Rotary leaders change but leadership continues. And as you change the baton of leadership, remember in a relay one does not stop to pass the baton- but runs alongside for some time at the same speed.
Your year is not a marathon- it’s a 365-day sprint- so be fast off the blocks and keep up the tempo till you breast the tape.
The District Team Training Seminar also serves to highlight the thrust areas of Rotary and Districts.
It highlights the theme of The Year “Be the Inspiration “ and also urges us define the ways of service and the roads leading us to reach our goal.
Who ever thought more than a century ago, that Rotary will become what it has become today? No crystal grazer even dreamt that Rotary will become a force of salvation.
Today, we are in our second century of existence and we are wiser today than we were a century ago.
Rotary has realized the potency of individual Rotarians and have been impressed by the fact that the future of Rotary – in fact, the future of any organization – lies in men and women it contains.
The strength of Rotary depends on Rotarians who volunteer to help, who go out to serve and who promote, propagate and promise help with a compassion that dwells in every heart and which is waiting to be tapped.
The future of Rotary depends entirely on the service it provides. Since the needs of the communities change, so should the outlook of the Rotarians.
Individual Rotarians gets inspired by world leaders, get educated by teachers and get motivated by Club leadership. But the Club leaders get motivated from the Senior, experienced, knowledgeable and mature Rotarians like you all.
If the needs change, action will change. If Rotary has to survive, the individual Rotarian should act – in fact the reverse may be the truth – if an individual Rotarian acts, Rotary will survive. There fore every individual Rotarian has to BE THE INSPIRATION .
In this Training DGE Babu Peram who has just returned from International Assembly full of ideas, innovation and implementation tools and invigorating motivation will, in turn, transform this Training Seaminar into an arena of action full of compassion, commitment and communication.
Believe me I would not leave a single stone unturned to educate, motivate, guide and inspire the Club leadership and make the year a success .
It is therefore with a great sense of responsibility that you should look forward to challenges of the year ahead knowing fully well that leadership in Rotary entails not Power, nor Authority, but only Accountability.
United by the same ideal and inspired by the same principles, we are all pursuing identical objectives as we come together in the truly spectacular setting to engage in the serious study and analysis of the art & the science of Rotary.
Yes, my friends and incoming District Leaders I sincerely believe that Leadership in Rotary is an Art as well as a Science.
It is – The Art of making friends
The Art of awakening enthusiasm
The Art of inspiring hearts
And
It is- the Science of transforming dreams into reality
The Science of maintaining unity in diversity
The Science of adding and multiplying efforts to
achieve Great goals.
Today, as we prepare to go into the next Rotary year, we look at all the miracles accomplished by Rotary and the Rotary Foundation- all working together, combining efforts & resources to make a difference.
Paul Harris spoke of Rotary in terms of a broad flowing river. This great river is the Sum total of the contribution of hundreds, perhaps thousands of small brooks & streams- which come tumbling down the hillsides & mountains eager to join the main channel of this great river.
How the mighty river of Rotary has become a force of Integrity, service, love & peace.
Consider the lives that have been saved, the hunger that has been alleviated, the human suffering that has been relieved , the knowledge that has been imparted , the Hope & Dignity brought into the lives of millions , the Goodwill that has brought peace one person at a time, one step at a time.
Yes, we have walked many miles since Paul Harris took the first step, but many miles remain ahead of us before the dreams & visions of Rotary become a reality.
There is so much to be done in this world, it’s almost unbelievable, but there is one organization & one individual who can help improve our world.
That organization is Rotary International & that Individual is you. You, the Incoming Assistant Governors , You the incoming Avenue Chair Persons , you the District Secretary designates ,you the Co ordinators and you the Seniors who will be there to guide, to motivate, to help , to inspire the Club leadership in 3232.
However, more than it is tempting to question what one person can do in a world of over Seven billion people.
US Anthropologist Margaret Med once said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world- indeed it’s the only thing that ever has.”
It is said, “Small minds discuss Personalities, Average minds discuss Events & only Great minds discuss ideas.”
Rotary gives us this forum not only to discuss ideas but also to make them in to realities.
Tagore wrote, “I slept & dreamt that life was happiness, I woke & saw that life was service. I served & learnt that in service happiness is found.” & it is that happiness which Rotary gives us.
Chinese Proverb: If you want Happiness-
For 5 minutes – take a nap
For 1 hour – go fishing
For 1 week – take a vacation
For 1 month – get married
For a year – inherit a fortune
Forever – help others
Yes, in the coming year, being a Assistant Governor or Avenue Chairman or District Secretary gives you this unique opportunity to help others.
That China man could well have been our Past R.I. Pr. Cliff Dochterman who gave us the theme “Real Happiness lies in helping others.”
And it was our own PRIP Raja Saboo who gave us the message “Look beyond yourself. And more or less was the message from PRIP Kalyan Banerjee ” Reach Within to Embrace Humanity”
My dear Friends, the Rotary we all love so much is in your capable hands in District 3232 so that you can make it even better.
No one can tell us what Rotary will be here tomorrow, but one thing is certain, what Rotary will be tomorrow depends upon how you are able to guide the clubs and make sure they perform to the satisfaction of your Governor.
Yes, Leadership in Rotary can be described in one word OPPORTUNITY. For it gives ordinary people like us the opportunity to do extraordinary things.
Remember – “The highest award for a man’s toil is not what he gets for it, but what he himself becomes by it.”
Margaret Thatcher was a Rotarian as was her father. He used to tell her, “Don’t be afraid to be different – don’t blindly follow the path – instead make a new path for others to follow.”
Paul Harris, the founder of Rotary was of the firm belief that Rotary should never remain static and said, “We live in a changing world & Rotary must be prepared to change with it.”
Destiny is not a matter of chance; it is a matter of choice. The future is not out there waiting to be met. The future is here, wanting to be created – created by Rotarians such as you all.
You all are very fortunate to be in the District with many achievements.The District has given a R I Director in P T Prabhakar, the District has generous Rotarian like PDG J B Kamdar who is ever ready to exhibit his generosity with big contributions , the District has many knowledgeable and active Leaders like Venky, Subu , Oli ,P T Ramkumar ,and many more …the District is known for many of its service activities. The District is at the forefront in its contribution towards T R F . Therefore to accept important assignments in such a fine District is a challenge hence extra efforts needed for training.
As you know Rotary is an organisation of volunteers that has stood the test of time, actually 113 years, because it signified the triumph of co-operation and creativity.
Life of members within a Rotary Club is not about being competitive with each other but within themselves and to become change agents who can create a new world where they live.
Serving humanity isn’t something that most of us are born knowing how to do. We learn it. We learn it from others. We learn it from life in Rotary.
The more we learn the better we get at it. This is why training sessions of Rotary are handled by eminent persons who have excelled in kindness and service to humanity.
The essence of life is exuberance. That is what service through Rotary is all about. The training you receive in Rotary maximizes your aliveness.
To improve yourself in what you do needs training. Every sportsperson, every artist and every expert in a field has undergone strenuous training for days if not for years before they really excelled.
PUT YOUR HEART IN WHAT YOU DO…
Mother Teresa was described by the Secretary General of UN as “the most powerful woman on the earth” and she was asked what made her so. Filled with embarrassment ,in simple words came her most profound statement “Small work with great Love”
It is this love that is generated through Heart.
That’s why we say “put your Heart in what you do” .
A high jump champion was once asked “How do you manage to jump more than seven feet in the air?”The champion said “First my Heart goes over the horizontal bar, then the rest of the body follows.”
Yes, put your Heart in what you do. DGE Babu Peram has full faith and confidence in you and your leadership, please don’t disappoint him.
Be knowledgeable – Knowledge is power but we must be knowledgeable not only about Rotary but more important to know more about Rotarians. There lies the key to success.
Story is told of a water bearer who had two large pots each hung on the ends of the pole which he carried on his shoulders. One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect.
At the end of the long walk from the stream to the house the cracked pot arrived only half full while other arrived always full. A year went by and the poor cracked pot, ashamed of his imperfection, spoke to the water bearer “I apologize . Because of my flaws you have to do double the work.”
The bearer said to the cracked pot “Don’t feel sorry. I planted flower seeds on one side of the path. Knowing your flaw I always carried you on that side. Every day while we walked back, you watered the planted seeds . Because of you we now have a stream of flowers.”
You my friends, are the water bearer. Each of us have our own imperfection . But it is the cracks and flaws that make our life interesting and rewarding .
You will have to take each Club for what it is and look for the GOOD in it .Your job will be to see that every Rotary Club in the District excels in its performance. The weaker clubs may need special attention and at times they may do wrong things . Please don’t lose your patience and extend your full throated support to see that they also come in the main stream.
Create an opportunity – Our leaders must learn the art of creating opportunities and you have to set your goals and learn your dreams. In Rotary, we turn problems into opportunities to over come them
This reminds me of a RYLA Camp I attended at Moral Re-Armament campus at Panchgani . At the entrance of the camp is a board saying “There are no problems here – only opportunities” Whilst I was standing near the registration desk where many participants of RYLA were clustering the desk, a boy came running and said to the organizer- “Sir, I have a problem” The organizer smilingly pointed to the placard saying “There are no problems – only opportunities.”
The boy hesitated and replied “Call it what you may, Sir – but you have allotted me a room which is occupied by a girl”. I don’t know whether the boy turned the problem into opportunity or not …. The successful leaders see the opportunities in every difficulty rather than the difficulty in every opportunity
Communicate effectively: Communication is vital for Rotary leadership. Failure to communicate can produce disastrous results. Your leadership responsibilities demand it and also you want for your self.
But effective or credible communication does not come from a rule book.There is no tool box which you can open and get help instantly .
Communication is a complex activity involving so many aspects of yourself. You can not become an expert by taking a course, reading a book or just after this session.
Never ever underestimate the power of words . Words can inspire. Words can destroy. Choose your words well. Your words have great power. Use them to support and inspire.
Your words are important. Your attitude is important. People must believe that you can be trusted. This can happen only when you walk the talk and your communication skills are good.
The Rotary Clubs will follow you not that they have to but because they want to.There is no harm in repeating if you feel that the message is not understood. Every opportunity to talk to a group in a meeting is an opportunity for improvement.
George Bernard shaw said ” The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.” You as the leaders must learn some thing very important .You have to be careful about what you say and how you say. You can not afford to be careless or casual .
To be a GOOD LEADER you must recognize and appreciate the efforts of others.
A good leader takes a little more than his share of blame and little less than his share of credit. Never hesitate to appreciate and recognize the efforts of all those Clubs who will work with you so closely to make a wonderful year.
Honour them, respect them and communicate their achievements wherever possible.
Eliminate divisiveness: Let Rotary ensure that divisiveness is not in feeling our organization. There are groups and sub-groups in the Rotary that tend to perpetuate divisiveness. This should be prevented at all costs.
Divisiveness is the AIDS of Rotary – a disease spreading swiftly and wide, preying upon the intelligent minds and without a cure in sight. Prevention is best method and let Rotary District leaders give the attention that this problem deserves.
Let Rotary leaders produce catharsis of emotional cleansing- let not the moral bedrock of Rotary be turned to lava.
BE FLEXIBLE……
EGO TO BE KEPT AWAY.
Beware of ego. It is double edged sword, the outer edge cuts your popularity, while the inner edge cuts your purity. A simple advise -when ever you do something remove the inner desire of SELF within you and see the clubs under you will provide all the co operations to make you achieve many laurels .
TO BE A GOOD LEADER ONE MUST BE COMPASSIONATE
A leader must talk the walk, even the leader may not know every thing, but a good leader must be open to learning.
A leader does not know every thing, but he/she encourages a team process , in which expertise is built.
The leader has to act and do things. And whatever he does, he must have humility.
To be a good leader one must motivate his team
The Dictionary describes Motivation as “the process, which gives incentive to arouse, sustain & regulate the human behaviour.”
How true it is in the present context for it applies to your role as the Assistant Governor, District Secretary, Avenue Chair person or any Special District Assignment to arouse, sustain & regulate the behaviour of the Club Leadership in your District..
Remember- The mediocre Leaders Tell
The Good Leaders Explain
The Superior Leaders Demonstrate
But only the Great Leaders Inspire & Motivate.
Let me end by proclaiming that leadership in Rotary faces many challenges. It has to act like a lion and lead with sheer power and also act like a lamb – soft, humble and yielding. We are alive to the needs and we are capable of giving that kind of leadership that Rotary deserves and desires.
Always remember the two words Humble and Hungry as the key to your career of continuous improvement and growth. whether you are trying to make a name for yourself or you have achieved the pinnacle of success .
Don’t ever feel that you know every thing. Every day you get an opportunity to learn something. The success or failure should not get in to your head.
Be kind to every one and let people know that they matter.
Live with Humility because the moment you think that you have arrived at the door of greatness it will get shut on your face.
Never give up and never be afraid of failure.
No matter how successful you get, no matter how much you achieve, you always have to be Hungry for more.
You always have to be hungry for learning new things.
You always have to be hungry to have more achievements.
You should be hungry to make your mark and you should be hungry to be seen and to be heard to have an effect out there.
But as you move on and become successful make sure to Also stay hungry for helping others and looking beyond your self.
Let the District 3232 leaders of tomorrow, gathered here this day be alive to the need for effective leadership and the means of achieving this leadership. We have the intelligence, we have the determination. Let us have the know how.
As district officers your job is to fulfilling the programs of Rotary and take the full benefit to the clubs and in addition add extra features that is recommended by the DG .
AGs can provide daily inspiration to the clubs assigned to you and get affirmations from the Club Leaders that they are on track in forging new partnerships with donors and tapping new sources for CSR projects
I strongly recommend that every District Officer should read the MOP and the code of policy of Rotary International and adhere to what is suggested there . In any doubt please don’t hesitate to speak to your Governor who would certainly be happy to help you and guide you in your actions.
Friends! The torch of service is lit by the fire of our Rotarians in their efforts to serve. Let this fire be strong enough to do what we are expected to do.
This District Team Training Seminar will show you the way. This District Team Training Seminar will enlighten you on the area which need Rotary’s help. This Training Seminar will make new friends and build bridges of understanding and communications.
Here is a simple Formula to success
Be polite, prepare yourself for the job assigned to you ,
Keep yourself tidy , be cheerful, don’t be envious, be honest to yourself and with all those you will be dealing with , interest yourself in your job , don’t pity yourself Incase you fail , be quick to praise, be loyal to your leader , avoid prejudice, be independent, don’t involve in Rotary politics, and read the Rotary literature on a regular basis .
The Challenge of leadership is ,
Be strong but not rude , be kind but not weak , be bold but not bully , be thoughtful but not lazy , be humble but not timid , be proud but not arrogant, have humor but not folly .
I wish you all a great 2018-19 How great it is will depend on you and your dedication. May the Almighty give you strengths to achieve all what you desire and deserve in the year ahead.
At the end please remember the four lines of Robert Frost
The woods are lovely dark and deep ,
But I have promises to keep ,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
25 March 2018