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The
promise of opportunity
lies in the future.
As we continue to journey
to Rotary's more than
one hundred years of
its existence, it is
timely to consider those
to whom we will entrust
our legacy and the Rotary
tradition.
As Rotarians, we have
made an enormous investment
in the youth. This is
a potent evidence of
our trust and faith
in the youth of today
being capable leaders
of tomorrow.
Young people are vital
component of Rotary's
continuing mission.
Rotary International
has designated September
as New Generations Month
wherein we focus all
Rotary activities that
support the development
of young people.
And during this month,
Rotary Clubs are encouraged
to use the slogan
"EVERY
ROTARIAN AN EXAMPLE
TO YOUTH"
in club bulletins and
publicity materials
during New Generations
Month.
At the community level,
Rotary clubs should
provide a forum for
the New Generations
to share their concerns
with community leaders,
express their hopes,
dreams, and ambitions,
and seek solutions to
the problems that beset
them and their respective
communities.
We have the ideals and
the organization for
the opportunities that
lie ahead but our success
will depend solely on
our willingness to put
forth the effort, determination
and enthusiasm to narrow
the generation gap and
bring the youth into
our confidence and membership.
Our past achievements
will mean little to
the future and all our
efforts will have been
for naught unless our
youth is readied to
assume positions of
leadership and service
when called upon to
do so.
We may be disappointed
if we fail, but we will
be doomed if we don't
try
The New Generations
constitute our investment
in the future. It is
time that we achieved
a relationship that
channels the expectations
of the young
and provides an opportunity
for the old
to share their experiences.
It is important that
we have young members
so we can stay with
the changing trends,
and these young members
can help the older generation
better understand and
accept these trends
and help bridge the
generation gaps. Young
people bring in different
perspective and energy.
I believe that one of
the greatest gift that
we can give to the younger
generation is the world
of opportunities not
available through education
alone. Rotary has helped
the youth all over the
world to avoid taking
things for granted;
for example they would
not let the water run
in the sink when brushing
their teeth and don't
take hour- long showers
because they understand
the importance of the
scarcity of clean water.
When they spend money,
they consider what else
it could have bought
to help someone in need.
It is amazing how exposure
to a Rotary perspective
can change the lives
of the youths we touch
in our daily lives.
Giving youths an opportunity
to experience Rotary
will inspire within
them the desire to join
Rotary.
It is meaningful to
remember the quote from
an old North American
Indian:
"We
did not inherit this
land from our ancestors;
we have borrowed it
from our children".
As Rotarians we have
a vital role to play
in the times ahead.
The New Generations
are our symbols of hope,
enthusiasm and optimism.
Can we afford to avoid
our responsibility?
We do have a duty to
the future.
Let's MAKE DREAMS
REAL ...
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