Leadership in Action
This is a special time of year for us in Rotary. A new District Governor leads our great District. Each club has a new president and officers. Fresh ideas and fresh energy emerge as we embark on the new year.
Before we explore the new year, I want to acknowledge and praise the past year’s leadership.
PDG Luis Carranza did an amazing job in leading our District. I was fortunate to serve as Luis’s Vice Governor and Ombudsman; so I had a front row seat to view the year unfold.
Luis brought great enthusiasm and passion to every club visit. His vision of “Getting on the Bus” was a winner as Rotarians took up the mantel and became more engaged and involved.
It is now District Governor Jeb Bakke’s time to lead us to “Create Lasting Impact.” As last year, I have the honor to serve as Jeb’s Vice-Governor and District Ombudsman. I am very lucky to have a front seat to all the fantastic things Jeb will bring to our clubs.
In 2020-2021, I was District Governor - the Covid year that affected all our clubs and members. Zoom meetings, virtual conferences, etc. Jeb was the president of the Rancho Bernardo Sunrise club that year. There were sixty presidents during that year and I was fortunate to have known them all personally.
I took a special interest in Jeb because he had “it” - that quality one has to lead. Knowing Jeb as I do, we are in for a superb year of creative, solid leadership from Jeb and his team.
I have now been in Rotary for twenty years and, as mentioned, am six years removed from being Governor. I’d like to share some of the things I have learned on my Rotary journey. First, being in Rotary is all about relationships. The longer one is in Rotary the deeper those relationships become. Not only with our fellow members, but with those we serve.
No matter how much we put into serving others, and how much we change the lives of those we serve; we are the ones who lives are changed for good, for the better.
Being in Rotary means we are leaders. That is the make up our membership and clubs - leaders. And Rotary provides many opportunities to grow in leadership. We have online learning, conferences with the top speakers and programs anywhere, and District training to improve our skills.
Given all that, I encourage each member to pursue serving in a leadership capacity within your club. Become president - don’t wait to asked or strong-armed. Become an officer or committee chair. Be assured you will learn more about your club and Rotary than one can imagine.
Strive to serve on a District committee; serve as chair of a District Committee. Become an Assistant District Governor where you become, in essence, a member of four or five other clubs while assisting those clubs grow and improve. Strive to become District Governor. It’s a great gig and your sphere of relationships grows exponentially.
Sometimes we have to push ourselves to grow. It is uncomfortable to be sure. But it is well worth the effort. Every step along the Rotary journey there is plenty of support from many folks. You are never alone. That is the essence of being in Rotary. Do it, you won’t regret it.
Everyone, have a great Rotary year!