Recently I’ve received several requests from fellow Rotarians, asking what Rotary and The Rotary Foundation are going to do about changes in our country’s political situation. Invariably, in the same breath the individual adds that of course, we don’t touch politics or religion. Many of the questions relate specifically to what a prominent person has shared about Rotary, or concerns over funding for our international projects.
Rotary has taken a stand, a prominent, respected and admired stand for over 120 years, a stand that every Rotarian supports and respects. We stand for the 4-Way Test, for Service Above Self, for the dignity of every human regardless of any type of demographic that others might use to divide us. We stand for human respect not only for those we help locally and globally but also for our own members. We stand for the values of diversity, for inclusion, for equity for everyone in our world.
We haven’t changed our values, nor will we because of any administration in any country where Rotary serves. Those that want us to take a stand need only to see us living our values. Those that want us to take a public posture “because they really respect us”– might I suggest they join Rotary and work alongside us to share our values with others?
We don’t get involved with politics or religion as doing so would be counter-productive to everything we believe in, yet I can also share that Rotary is working hard, behind the scenes, quietly to do all that we can to backfill lost funding. I can share that our PolioPlus work likewise is proceeding quietly and behind the scenes. One huge success that was recently reported is a donation by the Saudi Arabian government in the amount of $500,000,000. Yes, half a billion dollars.
I am also reminded that our original goal to eliminate polio was 2005, the Centennial of Rotary. We didn’t stop then because we missed our goal. I share that every 5 years Pakistan has an increase in polio cases due to their internal political system. We haven’t let that stop us. Taliban in Afghanistan? Nope – we didn’t stop then either. Melinda Gates has been quoted as standing in awe of Rotary’s “infinite persistence”. Nothing has ever stopped Rotary and our PolioPlus efforts. Our current challenge is nothing new, just another bump in the long – but ultimately successful – journey towards eliminating polio from the face of our world. In the total scope of our Rotary reality this is one government providing challenges out of the 219 countries and regions we serve.
You as the individual Rotarian, you still feel the need to “do something”. That is always how a single Rotarian starts to make our world better. Invite a friend to join Rotary. Increase – or start – your donations to The Rotary Foundation or your own club projects. Sign up for Rotary Direct. Join us on June 29 at the Pride Parade in San Francisco.
And finally? People see us individually as their version of Rotary. You are Rotary to those you know. I also believe in freedom of speech. With these two thoughts in mind, I have a simple request to make. The next time you start to post something on social media, please think about the 4-Way Test. If what you are about to post truly meets the 4-Way Test as you see it? As Fair to All Concerned, and Building Better Friendships and being Beneficial to All Concerned? Post away. But, knowing that a non-Rotarian will read what you post and judge Rotary by your words then please, take a deep breath and consider if just maybe our world will get by without another angry post. Will your post really bring peace to a divided world?
This, my friends, is my personal statement on Rotary and our current world. Thank you for what each of you are doing to put our Hope in Action and to share The Magic of Rotary.