Annual Rotary Themes...
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In 1995 RI President A.Z. Baker announced a theme, “Develop Our Resources,” to serve as Rotary’s program of emphasis. Since that time, each president has issued a theme for his Rotary year. The shortest theme was in 1961-62 when Joseph Abey selected “Act.” Other one-word themes were chosen in 1958-59 by Charles Tennent (“Serve”) and 1968-69 by Kiyoshi Togasaki (“Participate”).
Carl Miller, in 1963-64, had a theme for the times when he proposed “Guidelines for Rotary in the Space Age.” Other “timely” themes were in 1980-81 when Rolf Klärich created “Take Time to Serve” and William Carter in 1973-74 used “Time for Action.” Two themes have a similarity to commercial advertising: “A Better World Through Rotary” (Richard Evans, 1966-67) and “Reach Out” (Clem Renouf, 1978-79). Bridges have been a striking metaphor. Harold Thomas, 1959-60 urged Rotarians to “Build Bridges of Friendship”; William Walk, 1970-71, created “Bridge the Gap”; and Hiroji Mukasa, 1982-83, declared “Mankind is One – Build Bridges of Friendship Throughout the World.”
A worldwide focus was given by Stanley McCaffrey in 1981-82 with the message, “World Understanding Peace Through Rotary,” and again in 1984-85 by Carlos Canseco who urged Rotarians to “Discover a New World of Service.” In other years, the individual was emphasized, as “You Are Rotary” (Edd McLaughlin, 1960-61), “Goodwill Begins With You” (Ernst Breitholtz, 1971-72) and “You Are the Key” (Edward Cadman, 1985-86). Frequently the theme urges Rotarians to become more involved in their club, such as “Share Rotary – Serve People” (William Skelton, 1983-84) or “Make Your Rotary Membership Effective” (Luther Hodges, 1967-68). But whether you “Review and Renew,” “Take a New Look,” “Let Service Light the Way” or “Dignify the Human Being,” it is clear that the RI president provides Rotarians with an important annual program of emphasis. In 1986-87, President M.A.T. Caparas selected the inspiring message that “Rotary Brings Hope.”
Charles Keller in 1987-88 saw “Rotarians – United in Service, Dedicated to Peace,” while Royce Abbey asked his fellow members in 1988-89 to “Put Life into Rotary – Your Life.” Hugh Archer (1989-90) urged us to “Enjoy Rotary!” and Paulo Costa (1990-91) asked that we “Honor Rotary with Faith and Enthusiasm.” Rajendra Saboo (1991-92) exhorted every Rotarian to “Look Beyond Yourself.” In 1992-93 Clifford Dochterman reminded Rotarians, “Real Happiness Is Helping Others,” and in 1993-94 Robert Barth counseled Rotarians, “Believe In What You Do and Do What You Believe In.” In 1994-95 Bill Huntley encouraged Rotarians to “Be A Friend” to their communities. During 1995-96 Herbert Brown asked Rotarians to “Act with Integrity, Serve with Love, Work for Peace.” In 1996-97 the theme of Luis Giay was “Build the Future with Action and Vision;” Glen Kinross in 1997-98 proposed the plan to “Show Rotary Cares;” and James Lacy asked Rotarians to “Follow Your Rotary Dream” in 1998-99.
Westport Sunrise Rotary
PO Box 43
Westport, CT 06881-0043
P: 203-454-6446
F: 866-235-5591
www.westportsunriserotary.com
District 7980
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