Speaker: Brent Rosenthal, Rotary District 6690 Governor

Posted by Michael Blackwell 
on Aug 18, 2011
 
Brent Rosenthal who could, in the unlikely event he should he ever wish to, make a fine living as a motivational speaker, addressed the Club on the emphases and goals of District 6690 for this year.  Here are some excerpts:
  
• “I’d like to start by taking time to recognize Past District Governor Ram Gawande, who was a giant person in a humble body. Ram’s service to Rotary was an inspiration for all of us. There will be a memorial service for him on August 20th, at 2 pm, at the Margaret Walter Hall Rotunda on the Ohio University Campus.”

• “Rotary, like never before in history, is changing, and it’s going to be an exciting year. We face unprecedented economic and demographic challenges. We’re all going to have to be creative, cooperative, and above all flexible to meet the challenges that face us so that we can work together to be, the words of Gandhi, “the change that we want to see in the world.”  

• “District 6690 will have three emphases this year.”
  1.  Family and home. All of our service begins with our family, and we must be our best there, so that we can then better and fully serve Dublin, and then extend that involvement to embrace our larger family of the world.”
  2. Continuity. We must continue our great tradition of aid:  eliminating polio, improving sanitation, providing disaster relief, and fostering peace and understanding. That tradition is certainly alive here in Dublin, in one of the clubs that works so well locally to help internationally.”
  3. Change. Change begins with us. If we do not have inner peace, we cannot extend peace. There is a need for change in Rotary, if we are going to help others while maintaining our core values. As individuals, you need to learn what it is you want from Rotary, and make sure the Club is offering it, even if that means taking on new projects and doing some things in new ways. The new slogan for 6690 is ‘Our members are our customers.’ We need to do all we can to make them satisfied. As a Club, we must serve members and their passions to enhance recruitment and retention. Look for flexibility and innovation. Leaders must find out what members want and give it. Members must be honest and open about what they want. We must seek out and engage the next generation of Rotarians, and yet offer all members of all levels of experience to engage and fulfill the passions that bring them to Rotary. ” 

• “As a district, we have one top priority:  to strengthen and support all our clubs so that you can fill your mission of support locally and in the world. You best know your needs locally, so we will have no district wide initiative. In our district, we have both the richest and the poorest zip codes in the state. And from richest to poorest, we have a hunger problem. Many people must choose between utilities and food, between medication and eating. We have a duty, and an opportunity to help. To be eligible for a District Presidential Award this year, then, a club must have a service project to address hunger and create awareness of it.”

• “Wherever people are in want and suffering, we can be there. What makes Rotary special and unique is individual Rotarians. We can be there, even when governments and other organizations cannot, because of our simple and pure motto of service before self. It is not just those whom we serve who benefit. We get great benefits from giving. When you do, you know how you feel inside.  It feels good to do good. If you are not yet involved, you are not only denying the world but also yourself of the chance to gain riches that cannot be lost or stolen.”

• “As rich as our tradition is, Rotary will be bigger, better, and more effective. Its achievements in its second hundred years will dwarf those of the first hundred. Rotary is many things to many people. It is individual and local, it is a group and international.  It is service and it is social. It is as big as eliminating polio and as small as one child getting a first book. It is as big as a water well, and as small as one person tasting fresh water for the first time. There will always be a need for people who ask how else they can help make their community a better place.  Dublin is a better place for Rotary. Dublin needs Rotary. Let us have the strength and courage to be the change.”