I Am With You
I think most would agree that Rotary has struggled to attract and retain young professionals. I joined Rotary when I was relatively young and my club did not have any problem in retaining me and my district, which was all of you here earlier, supported me in every phase of my life in Rotary. Starting from the Presidency of the club, then as District Governor followed by Directorship and then as Trustee, just to name the major responsibilities, everyone of you have stood by me.
The process of being in Rotary is fantastic. I knew why I was in Rotary, but I needed to know if my experience was similar to others or anomalous. By being with thousands of Rotarians all over India and elsewhere, I began to see some distinct trends. Being with Rotarians made me understand what Rotary has to offer. I was able to put together a value proposition that began to guide my daily life with more purpose and meaning and in a more ethical way in every sphere of my work.
Being with Rotarians is an unique environment and produces immeasurable benefit by elevating our thought process – from simple living to high thinking. This is exactly what I felt.
When I say “I Am With You” this is the culture that I will be sharing with you at every stage. The small but bold steps I learnt to take at every stage makes me confident that it can be shared and used by everyone of you to further your interests in Rotary and profession.
What makes Rotary? Is its sovereignty? Is its structures and systems? It is its people, the members. So being with you reinforces my belief daily that I have to constantly focus on the people for whose wellbeing Rotary was formed.
The worst violence happening on the planet is in our minds. If you cannot remove violence from your mind how can we change the world? By being with likeminded people, we Rotarians learn that it is possible to bring peace in smaller lots at a time in a small place. This is what all service projects aim to achieve. This is what happens when you are in Rotary. I am with you at every stage of your peace process that you collectively undertake in your district.
People who argue or not always enemies. They are just reminding you of your own shortcomings. When we build a healthy relationship in Rotary by being together, we try to be inclusive and not exclusive. We are in Rotary not to outsmart others, but about seeing life just the way it is and how we can serve the community. Rotary makes you say to the people who need your help the most, “I am with you.”
The logo of Rotary must be an iconic presence to orient the people in the community towards service. Rotary is a reminder for us to shift from discussion of useless topics to responsibility towards humanity. When it comes to inner wellbeing, people think it is all fixed in heaven. Neither peace nor joy is made in heaven. It is made within you and that is why when you join Rotary you submit yourself to be a humble human being rather than just talk about things that you don’t intend to do. When we are together, we constantly remind ourselves of our mission and that is why I say, “I am with you.”
Rotary is beautiful. If you start living its beauty, enjoying its joys with no guilt in your heart, you are in paradise. If you condemn everything in Rotary, every small joy, then the same Rotary turns into an unattractive organisation. It is a question of your inner transformation that makes you a Rotarian and not an ordinary mortal. It is not a change of place; it’s a change of inner space. Live joyously. Live intensely in your Rotary service and I will be with you to share your experience.