Rotary Inaugural Address, Handover Ceremonies
It is an honor to stand before you tonight to take on the task of District Governor, and to induct the Presidents of the different Rotary Clubs whose commitment and goals we have set for ourselves will ensure that we in Rotary will make a difference.
Our call to lead comes at an opportune time, when our country faces a critical juncture in our history – beset by a global economic downturn, faced with protracted armed struggles and environmental problems that threaten to wreck havoc in our communities.
As we consider the risks we face, we need to think of how we can best help our fellow Filipinos who are in need.
Recalling Rotary’s Past
As a young boy, I recall the first Rotarian I knew: my father, the late Paulino J. Garcia. He was a medical doctor, a public health advocate, a man of science and an educator who exemplified the Rotarian values of service and fellowship. ( I’m sure He must be here right now smiling and cheering me on!)
He was merely one member in an organization (the Rotary Club of Manila) that now looks back to 90 years in the Philippines. Many of us, if not all, have been inspired by outstanding examples of Rotarians helping and serving in various community service projects. One shining instance in my Rotary life was my stint as one of the Rotary- Gawad Kalinga volunteers in Villa Paraiso, Paranaque, a defining experience which taught me much—about needy people and what they need, and about generous people and how much they give, and most of all about myself and what I feel I am called to do.
Philippine Rotary has inspired many initiatives in the area of health. One such example is The Polio Plus program, which started in the Philippines in the ‘80’s. It is now Rotary’s number one flagship project. Its success can be measured in the fact that the disease is now in only just four countries namely Afghanistan, India, Nigeria and Pakistan. It is Rotary’s vision to eradicate the polio virus in the face of the earth in the next few years.
Philippine Rotary also founded the Elsie Gaches Village in the 30’s, an institution for the mentally challenged. This institution lives on to this day. Rotary continues to work closely with our youth in schools and communities and is also credited for founding the Philippine Boy Scouts movement. Undoubtedly, it continues to work with diverse communities to improve the lives of people, and to undertake worthy endeavors that have made Rotary as one of the world’s most credible humanitarian International organization.
We have had outstanding Rotary personalities from Mat Caparas, the first Filipino Rotary International President, Sabino Santos, a former Rotary International vice president, to Paing Hechanova , a past Rotary International Director whose giant footsteps we follow today.
Reaffirming Rotary’s Sense of Service Today
Tonight, I would like to invite our incoming Presidents and my fellow Rotarians to be my partners in forging a common sense of purpose. Let us Re-affirm our sense of service both to our respective clubs and the communities we serve through our priority projects. By the work we do, Rotary brings hope in small and big ways to everyone whose lives we touch.
I would also like to stress the fact that we serve Rotary best when we serve well with others – as Team Rotary! It is in this spirit that we can best promote our core values:
Service – this is our reason for being: to serve those in need
Fellowship – this is why Rotary was founded: Its our means to serve others
Integrity – We are men and women of honor and character
Diversity- our vocation is the basis of our strength
Leadership – continuum of Rotary leaders shall ensure the future of Rotary in our country.
Under my leadership as your Governor, we pledged to engage in emphases that in general will help improve the lives the poor and the disadvantaged. I have summed them up in the acronym: W.H.E.Y.
• WATER- let us promote clean and adequate Water: we must continue to help preserve and protect our Environment
• HEALTH- let us engage in disease control and prevention, promote Nutrition for healthier Children and Wellness for our beneficiaries and fellow Rotarians
• EDUCATION & LITERACY- let us help develop good values formation and employable skills
• YOUTH SERVICE- we have to instill good moral values and skills for the youth
If we work together as TEAM ROTARY, I can assure you that we will we meet our goals.
Re-Imagining a Better Future: Rotary’s Vision
I have spoken to you of my vision and of Rotary’s vision. I recall the prophetic words of a Rotary icon, Sabino Santos, when he said:
“I sincerely believe that God is using Rotary to bring life and joy to a world at peace. Although we see this vision dimly and through a haze, God assures us that this will come to pass…”
The question for you and me, for Rotary’s leadership is how we can contribute our share to help realize this vision – in this critical year when we are called to both serve and lead.
Our challenge is to make each Rotary Club strong in terms of membership base and Rotarian education. We need to develop committed and passionate Rotarians in each Club who will dedicate their time, talent and treasure to rebuilding and helping our poorer communities. We must develop sustainable service projects that will greatly impact on the economic, mental and moral well being of our fellow Filipinos.
2010 happens to be a defining year in which Filipinos are once again called to choose national and local leaders who will lead us through these difficult times. If we navigate these troubled waters well, we can emerge stronger and more united as a nation. Thus, there is one other area that we can tackle: together with NGOS, let us engage in voter education thru voter registration and public forums and the promotion of peace in the run-up to the 2010 national elections.
I call on each and every Rotarian to be a beacon of hope. Through our example we can give witness to the practice of high ethical standards in our businesses or professions; we can likewise demonstrate our readiness to help those in need, to help provide a better life for all. Even as we gather here tonight, people are marching in the streets. We at Rotary provide space for common ground as we continue to bring hope.
I believe that we are all called to greatness, each in his or her own way—ordinary Rotarians doing ordinary things that are timely and significant, in an extraordinary way. We can be great Rotarians, who do things well in dedicated and joyful ways. That is the reason why I have enjoined you all to be “Smiling Visionaries.”
If we work together, we cannot fail. If we work with big and generous hearts, we will prevail.
Together we will go far for the future of Rotary is in our hands!
Thank you and God bless Rotary!
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