2009 NEPETS - John Kenny

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Rotary Club of New Bedford

District 7950

Founded 1921

March 12, 2009

ROTARY INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT ELECT JOHN KENNY ADDRESSES THE 2009-2010 PRESIDENT- ELECT TRAINING SEMINAR

The President-Elect of Rotary International gave the keynote address to the Multi-District Presidents Elect Training Seminar in Nashua, New Hampshire to over 400 Rotary Club incoming Presidents from eight different Rotary Districts.

Rotarians from Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut listened with rapt attention as President Elect Kenny outlined his upcoming year.

We all know that next year's Rotary Theme is,

Although Rotary International is an organization of over 33,000 clubs and 1.2 million members worldwide, President-Elect Kenny reminded us that the real work of Rotary happens at the individual club level.  Good Club Presidents result in good Rotary Clubs.  His message to the incoming Club President's was, "Give Rotary back to Rotarians".

Rotary can do nothing but Rotarians can do everything.  Always remember that every Rotarian is a volunteer, and as a Rotary President you might be wise to keep in mind that while it may be nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice.

President-Elect Kenny touched on membership growth and how important it is for the future of Rotary.  We should focus on quality of new members over quantity and that most new members who leave Rotary do so within the first three years of membership, so it is critical that we engage new members quickly into the activities of the Club.  Member retention of new and existing members is as important as recruiting new members.  Work hard at finding good speakers and developing relevant programs that will engage new members and re-energize members of long standing.

A good gage of how your Club is doing is to ask your community leaders how they view your Rotary Club.

Vocational Service will be the cornerstone of President-Elect Kenny's year.  "Vocational service distinguishes Rotary from all similar organizations."  He went on to say that of the Four Avenues of Service, (Club Service, Vocational Service, Community Service and International Service), Vocational Service will have a lifelong impact on those we serve.

Combined with Vocational Service, President-Elect Kenny will be pressing hard for major international improvements in Water, Health and Hunger and Literacy.  He went on to say, "Water initiatives must be combined with sanitation.  Our Health and Hunger Initiatives will become a major force for world peace."  He went on to quote Nelson Mandela who said, "No nation can succeed if it's people are uneducated."

On the eradication of polio Mr. Kenny said, "Some may feel we have done enough with polio, but we risk all we have gained if we quit so close to our goal of 100% eradication worldwide.  WE ARE IN THIS TO THE END!"

As Rotary leaders President-Elect Kenny told us that our term of office is soon over, however, our commitment to Rotary and its goals lasts a lifetime.

In what has to be one of the strongest and most meaningful statements ever made to an assembled group of Rotarians President-Elect Kenny stated clearly, "We are in a position to make major positive life changes to millions of people, AND WE WILL!"

Mr. Kenny left us with a Celtic quote,

May the road rise to meet you.

May the wind be always at your back.

May the sunshine warm upon your face.

And the rains fall soft upon your fields.

And until we meet again,

May God hold you in the palm of His Hand.

John Kenny, of the Rotary Club of Grangemouth, Central, Scotland, is the selection for President of Rotary International in 2009-10.  Find out more about Mr. Kenny and his plans for Rotary International at www.Rotary.org

Robert Smith

President-Elect

Rotary Club of New Bedford