I had occasion years ago to make some statements as to why I am a Rotarian. One statement was that Rotary provides a vehicle for fulfilling that natural instinct in people of goodwill everywhere to care and to volunteer time for the needs of their neighbours. Another was our worldwide fellowship.
As the years have gone by, I find that my conclusions are being reinforced in my club, in the district and in our Rotary world.
The fellowship that abounds at club meetings generates true friendship. The friendship has a way of spreading to the local community. Civic responsibilities are enhanced and community needs are met.
The same fellowship is present in all the clubs in the District, at District conferences, Rotary Institutes and Conventions. Some of the best friends are made not only in the local clubs but also in the district, Zones and indeed around the world.
Rotary makes me feel as much at home in Nigeria as it does elsewhere. In all the places, I am surrounded by Rotarian friends. I am in company of a global community united by common values; delightful members old and young of the Family of Rotary.
As Rotarians we define those values and reflect upon them in a number of ways: the object of Rotary, the Rotary International Mission Statement, the Annual President’s theme, the Declaration of Rotarians of Businesses and Professions and the Four Way Test.
But for most of us or indeed all of us, it comes back to the three simple words “service above self”, otherwise translated as “Lend a Hand”.
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.
An organisation with a track record of 100 years of humanitarian service, a catalyst and supporter of global effort to eradicate polio and architect of the Rotary Centers for International Studies in Peace and Conflict Resolution commends itself for membership.
Whereas nations and governments carry out programs for their citizens in fulfillment of obligations to do so, Rotarians execute projects that meet the needs of people no matter where, not because of their gain or a duty to carry out the project. Their joy is the ability to volunteer and their benefit is opportunity to serve.
•Rotarian Jonathan Majiyagbe, first and so far on African President of Rotary International (2003/2004), died today, 27 May 2023. This article was first published on 18 July 2006 by https://www.athensohiorotary.org
