Rotary Club of Northlakes Toukley In Touch November 2014 | Page 6
Presidential Message
Gary C.K. Huang - Rotary International President-elect 2014-15
GARY C.K. HUANG
PRESIDENT 2014-15
NOVEMBER 2014
Four months into this year of working to Light Up Rotary, I am more excited about Rotary than ever before.
I've been to 22 countries, visited dozens of cities, and met thousands of Rotarians. I've seen amazing projects
and been inspired over and over again by the terrific work Rotarians do all over the world.
And I've been privileged to be part of all kinds of Rotary events, from club meetings to Rotary
institutes, from Rotary Days to Foundation dinners.
Every event is memorable. I feel especially honored when I am invited to share in club
celebrations. To me, taking part in a Rotary club celebration as Rotary International president
is like being invited to a family event as an honored guest. Indeed, Rotary is the biggest family
in the world.
You could say that Rotary is built of service: Each project is another brick in the big building
that is Rotary. If our service forms the bricks, then there is no question that friendship is the
mortar that holds those bricks together. I see this every day, but nowhere more clearly than
at some of the most special Rotary club events: their centennial celebrations.
Being president of Rotary International in its 110th year, I've been lucky to take part in a
number of these. It is natural, when visiting long-serving clubs, to want to know what their
secret is – because I have always noticed that the longest-serving clubs are also some of the
most productive. They are large, they are active, and they do great work. Not only that, but
they have a great time doing it.
Of course, that is their secret: In Rotary, strong friendships and great service go hand in hand.
When we enjoy our work, we want to do it. We want to work harder, and we want to work better. We look
forward to Rotary meetings. Even when our lives are busy, we make Rotary a priority – because we want to
see our friends, and we want to serve.
That is why Rotary is still here, after more than 109 years. In Chinese, we say:
A life without a friend is a life without sun.
Our Rotary friendships give light to our lives, and it is Rotar 䁙ɥ