younger members into <strong>Rotary</strong> — making sure that today’s Rotaractors, Interactors, RYLArians, Youth Exchange students, Foundation Scholars, and Group Study Exchange team members become tomorrow’s Rotarians. In many cases we must encourage clubs to become a little more flexible in some of their rules and traditions. That doesn’t mean that everything has to change — it means that times have changed and we must be willing to change if we want to survive. Whether it is the willingness to adjust certain things in an existing club, such as trying out new meeting times or meeting places, or reconsidering our formats for new clubs, we must take a hard look at ourselves and be willing to adapt. Every Rotarian should ask themselves: Would I join my <strong>Rotary</strong> club today? If not, why not? What needs to change to make my <strong>Rotary</strong> club more attractive and one that I can be proud of? Every Rotarian is different; we all have our own reasons for joining <strong>Rotary</strong>. They are as varied as the individuals themselves. Sometimes the reason you joined <strong>Rotary</strong> isn’t the reason you stay. But every one of us here and everyone who’s made the commitment to take a leadership position in <strong>Rotary</strong> — every one of us has had that experience of finding the thing in <strong>Rotary</strong> that gets us excited about <strong>Rotary</strong>. And whatever it is to you, however you got that feeling that made you a Rotarian for life — that is what I want you to share, what I want you to help other people discover, so that they can find that feeling for themselves. When Rotarians get involved — when they get engaged — lives change. And that is why, my friends, my governors, our theme in 2013-14 will be Engage <strong>Rotary</strong>, Change Lives. In 2013-14, your job as district governor will be to inspire Rotarians, get them engaged, share with them the gift that every one of you has been given to be a positive force for change in our world. By your example, show them the kind of potential that each of them has through <strong>Rotary</strong>. Help them chart their own courses in <strong>Rotary</strong>, so that each one of them will find the thing in <strong>Rotary</strong> that speaks to them — so that they will open their eyes and their hearts to the power of <strong>Rotary</strong> service and be inspired. The most important thing we can do for the future of <strong>Rotary</strong> is make sure that Rotarians are engaged and that each one of us is doing the most we can. If we really want to take <strong>Rotary</strong> service forward, then we must make sure that every single Rotarian has the same feeling about <strong>Rotary</strong> that each one of us here has today. We need to make sure that every Rotarian has a meaningful role to play, that they’re all making a contribution, and that their contributions are valued. Because when that happens, the members who come in the front door don’t go right out the back. They stay in <strong>Rotary</strong>, they become Rotarians, they bring in new members, and they make a difference. The job of membership isn’t done when we bring in a new member. It’s not done until that new member is engaged in <strong>Rotary</strong>, is inspired by <strong>Rotary</strong>, and uses the power of <strong>Rotary</strong> service to change lives. Each one of you has been chosen. You were chosen to be members of your clubs, and you were chosen to be district governors. And each one of you has made a choice — the choice to take on the responsibility of <strong>Rotary</strong> leadership. How much your districts achieve — how many Rotarians you inspire, how many lives those Rotarians go on to change — depends on you: your enthusiasm, your dedication, your openness to new ideas, and sometimes your willingness to go out on a limb. Because after all, that’s where the fruit is. <strong>International</strong> Assembly Speeches 2013 3
But no matter how much you accomplish — no matter where this year of <strong>Rotary</strong> service takes you — I can promise you this: the life you change the most will be your own. . The moment is here. The time is now. We begin this journey together — and together we will lead <strong>Rotary</strong> to a better future, as we Engage <strong>Rotary</strong>, Change Lives. Thank you. 4 <strong>International</strong> Assembly Speeches 2013
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