Striving for
World Understanding & Peace
Having
now passed the halfway mark of the current Rotary year we need to reflect on
our success and how we can improve on and build a stronger Rotary within our
Zone. Perhaps it is also time to reflect on exactly why we joined Rotary and
why we are so shy (sometimes selfish) in not sharing our great organisation
with people who are suitably qualified to become members within our Clubs.
As
I write to you I personally celebrate two decades of service with our beloved
organisation. Having first being invited to join Rotary in 1993 and having
being inducted some six months later 3 February 1994, I sit in awe of what
privileges I have been able to enjoy being part of this worldwide organisation
of fellow humanitarians. I give thanks to my sponsor for having introduced me
to Rotary and to the thousands of individuals around the world with whom I have
been able to and continue to engage with over the years, shaping and sharing
the many exploits, stories, projects and fellowship that we all enjoy. It is
also sheer co-incidence or perhaps divine intervention, that my home Rotary
Club, High Noon, celebrates its 10th anniversary on the same day. In
celebration thereof and apart from other planned events, 30 of us will be
jetting off to Mumbai and Chennai in India during the first week of February to
attend a District Conference in Mumbai and participate in a Polio NID in
Chennai.
Since my last article
in Rotary Africa, much has been done and much work is on the horizon. At the
end of November GETS got Governors-Elect going in Jerusalem. I had the
privilege of being a part of the training team for incoming Governors. This
multi-zone event which was held in Jerusalem, Israel provides training for
incoming Governors on various aspects of Rotary and includes a section that
prepares them for their main training in San Diego. Much has been written about
the conflict in the area and whilst life looks safe and comfortable, the
calmness during the week belied the tensions that still exist between the Israelites
and Palestinians. It was not all work and no play as the organisors of the
event pulled out all stops to provide the delegates with a variety of events
which included meeting the young and dynamic mayor of Jerusalem, an evening
with the Jerusalem symphony orchestra, a gala dinner and a very casual yet
moving Israeli night. As I write Governors-elect are in San Diego for the International
Assembly which is their final training programme before they get back into their
respective Districts to start the training for their teams during their year of
Governorship.
As
you read this article you would already have been introduced to the new Rotary
theme that will take us forward into 2014/2015. February also ushers in Rotary
International's 109th anniversary and Clubs worldwide are planning events to
celebrate another year of service to mankind. Like all big occasions it is the
perfect time to get in some much needed public image work and grasp the
opportunity of sharing your Club's achievements with the local community.
World Understanding is our monthly theme in
February. Rotary International is a 109 year old beacon of World Understanding
that crosses all political, religious, and countries borders. Rotarians have
spread the message of World Understanding through acts of kindness, compassion,
fellowship, and a common theme, Service Above Self. You and I and 1.3 million
others have seized opportunities to serve at home and abroad through hands-on projects
and financial commitments. Many of our Rotarians work tirelessly to spread
goodwill. I don’t know about you but I still get goose bumps nearly every time
I read about PolioPlus and the three life changing drops of vaccine. Rotarians have
embraced the dream of a Polio- Free world and if that isn’t World Understanding
I don’t know what is. Personally, I look forward to our trip to India and to
celebrate with the Indian nation three years Polio-Free.
Perhaps the words of
Past RI President Jonathan Majiyagbe from Nigeria is so appropriate for World
Understanding month:
“For me, Rotary is one great gateway that leads to
many doors - the chance to meet great people you would otherwise never meet, to
learn about cultures you never knew existed, to break bread with otherwise
total strangers and so break down the barriers of ignorance and intolerance, to
support a strong Rotary Foundation and its programs and participate in a
crusade for building world understanding and peace.”
Advancing world understanding and peace, which is
expressed in the fourth part of the Object of Rotary, is an important focus of
Rotarian service. The internationality of our membership puts us in a unique
situation to promote peace and goodwill. Through club-to-club contacts,
international service projects, peace programmes, and cultural and educational
exchanges we, as Rotary clubs worldwide, make a meaningful contribution to world
understanding and peace.
Parting is such sweet
sorrow and as we planned our holidays breaks, one could not help but feel a
sense of nostalgia seep through as we mourned the passing away of one of the
world's greatest leaders. Mr Mandela was a true epitome of humanity and
humbleness. He touched countless lives and inspired people to reach out to
those in need. He inspired compassion, hope and strength and the friendships he
encountered along the way continue to inspire change and goodwill. All of these
are the characteristics we seek in Rotary. He was well decorated by the many
accolades and awards he received amongst which was Rotary highest honour,
Rotary's Award for World Understanding, something that we celebrate in February
each year. Nelson Mandela's place in
history is unique and his legacy is carved in every nook and cranny of our country.
Of him, it can be truly said that "he walked with kings, but never lost
the common touch", to paraphrase Rudyard Kipling. Revered, exalted and
almost immortalised, few would argue that he was the greatest statesman our
world has known.
Finally, may your
final five months of the current Rotary year be filled with projects that touch
your lives in a positive way as you continue to Engage Rotary and Change Lives.
Natty
Moodley - RC Zone 20(A) South
Rotary
Africa
February
2014
