Attending Rotary International in Houston 2022, one message stood clear above the rest and crystal clear.  Rotary needs to be inclusive to our members, our community, and to ourselves.  This message was expressed from current Rotary International President Shekar Mehta and Rotary International President Elect, Jennifer Jones.

 

In fact, President Mehta stated “Inclusion should be a focus” for all of us as we work together with our neighbors, those we work with in our careers, and other organizations.  Instead of being exclusive in meetings and activities, they urge to build networks with other clubs like Kiwanis, YMCA, Lions club, other Rotary Clubs for example.

 

 

A Rotary President of Canada stated that there are four types of Rotarians:

 

Each of us are at different levels as a Rotarian. That is OKAY!  Our goal is to live service above self in one way or another.  We don’t discriminate, look down on anyone, and know that ANYTHING is achievable.

 

A great example of that is the number one focus of Rotary which is to end Polio.  With thousands of cases each year in the 80’s, Rotary was told it was impossible to eradicate polio.  Now in 2022, there are two countries left with less than 8 cases. 

2014 Kailash Satyarthi who was a Nobel Peace Prize winner saved over 100,000 children from child slavery.  It started because a neighbor in India asked for help by writing a letter to the government to get their daughter back who was kidnapped and put into slavery.  Instead of writing a letter he said that he will just do it.  After being beaten up, having his life threaten, he figured out how to rescue this little girl and 32 other children in his first experience.  He said that he did it because children should have crayons and a book and not worry about these adult issues.  Rotarians in India have stepped up to help him with this cause.

 

In fact, Rotary is helping in many causes around the world.  From helping to achieve clean water, helping refugees find work in their country, to ending human trafficking, the goal exists to prove there is hope in our world.  Does this all mean we are not exclusive?  We are exclusive in committing to what Rotary stands for.  We stand up against the tides.  HOWEVER, we Rotary should be inclusive for anyone who wants to join in the capacity that they can. 

 

In the movie Ratatouille, Anton Ego wrote his review after eating meal made by the rat Remi:

 

“In many ways, the work of a critic is easy. We risk very little yet enjoy a position over those who offer up their work and their selves to our judgment. We thrive on negative criticism, which is fun to write and to read. But the bitter truth we critics must face, is that in the grand scheme of things, the average piece of junk is probably more meaningful than our criticism designating it so. But there are times when a critic truly risks something, and that is in the discovery and defense of the new. The world is often unkind to new talent, new creations. The new needs friends.

Last night, I experienced something new, an extra-ordinary meal from a singularly unexpected source. To say that both the meal and its maker have challenged my preconceptions about fine cooking is a gross understatement. They have rocked me to my core. In the past, I have made no secret of my disdain for Chef Gusteau's famous motto: 'Anyone can cook.' But I realize, only now do I truly understand what he meant. Not everyone can become a great artist, but a great artist can come from anywhere. It is difficult to imagine more humble origins than those of the genius now cooking at Gusteau's, who is, in this critic's opinion, nothing less than the finest chef in France. I will be returning to Gusteau's soon, hungry for more.”

 

For Rotarians, anyone can serve but Rotarians bring service above self at the capacity that they are able to.

 

Lastly, if there are any active or inactive members that ever felt excluded or not welcome into Rotary, please forgive me, and please come back!  We need your help to be the light upon the world.  We need your help.  If you cannot make a meeting, that is okay, we just miss you!  If you can only volunteer, we will have opportunities for you!  If you can donate, but cannot make it in person, we will make every cent count towards making our community, and our world a better place.

 

My favorite quote which I strive to live by is from Gandhi:

 

Thank you and I love you all. 

Warm regards,

 

Hans Eskelsen

Rotary President