Lessons learned during an unusual presidency year

 

 

During difficult times, you could adopt one of two significant measures to cope; you could despair or embrace discomfort. Unconsciously, I had always chosen to embrace discomfort and hold it so close that we call each other on a first-name basis.  Discomfort, more than the obvious definition, it's the ability to stand and resist unfavorable conditions or situations. To embrace discomfort is to accept conditions that may not be ideal, and perhaps that we would not have or do what might be custom, but we will develop a sharp problem-solving mind and an iron will to achieve our goals.

 

This year we learn the real meaning of Service Above Self. Some of our members risked their health to deliver desperate-needed disposable masks to our city's non-profit organizations. We learned to seize opportunities to serve when they presented themselves, although not all plans had been drawn or the conditions are not perfect. We also learned to be persistent, not taking "no" as a viable answer, and always looking for another way to achieve our goals. We learned to pivot and rethink what we could and couldn't do during this pandemic year. This year we learned how to be better Rotarians.

 

This message will be my last as president of the Club.  I am deeply honored to be the Club's president and guide you through such a challenging year.  Someone told me that I was a "war" president due to how we handled ourselves and kept our members engaged with service projects and activities. Somehow, we kept going, with the help of the Board, avoiding that our Club gets into debt and still delivering services to our fellow citizens. I am grateful for your trust, and I am thankful for the lessons I learned during this year. 

Thank you to all!