The 2009-10 RI
theme acknowledges the important role individual Rotary clubs
will play in shaping the future of Rotary.
RI
President-elect John Kenny unveiled the theme, "The Future of
Rotary Is in Your Hands" during the opening plenary session of
the International Assembly , an annual training event in San
Diego, California, USA, for incoming district governors.
"The future of
Rotary will not be shaped at RI headquarters -- it will be
shaped in each and every Rotary club," Kenny said, "because it
is for each of us -- as Rotarians -- to do what is necessary to
keep Rotary strong."
Kenny
acknowledged the foundation established by past Rotary leaders
and laid the responsibility for building upon that success on
every Rotarian.
"Each one of
us is standing on the shoulders of generations of Rotarians
past, and it is our responsibility to determine Rotary’s
future," Kenny said.
Kenny
emphasized that every Rotary club is and must be autonomous.
"Everything
begins and ends with our clubs," he said. "Our clubs can and do
work together; they work through their own districts, in
cooperation with other clubs and districts, and with the support
of our Foundation.
"But at the
end of the day, everything that we accomplish is done through
the strength of our clubs. And so each club must have autonomy
to serve where and how it can serve best."
At the same
time, Kenny highlighted the importance of the RI Strategic Plan
, adopted by the RI Board of Directors, as an essential tool in
providing continuity.
"The plan is
designed to strengthen and proclaim the core values of Rotary:
service, fellowship, diversity, integrity, and leadership,"
Kenny said. The training sessions for incoming governors during
the weeklong assembly are all tied to some component of the
strategic plan, and a final group discussion on Saturday will
seek to tie all the pieces together and show the future district
leaders how to take the strategic plan to the club level.
Kenny
concluded his remarks by sharing a favorite saying from his
homeland, Scotland: "We must look beyond our own parish pump."
"It means that
we must look beyond our own home and our own community," Kenny
said. "We must look beyond our own needs, and we must be aware
that ours is only one community, of one country, of the many
communities and countries in this world."
