By K V Mohan Kumar, charter president, Rotary Club of Bangalore Prime, India
Rotary is constantly in the process of change. Change is essential to stay relevant, as Rotary’s founder Paul Harris noted with his famous quote:
“This is a changing world, we must be prepared to change with it. The story of Rotary will have to be written again and again.”
Paul Harris, This Rotarian Age, Circa 1935
Many things drive that change in Rotary:
- Annual turnover of leadership roles that bring new thinking and new goals.
- Changes in the needs of our members and potential members as society changes, with an accompanying pressure for flexibility in terms of types of clubs, meeting options, and membership types.
- The advance of technology like new tools on www.rotary.org, reporting platforms like Rotary Club Central, and virtual and hybrid meeting platforms.
- Changes in the communities and ecosystem in which we operate.
Challenging the status quo is never easy. Any change triggers opportunities and risks. But questioning the status quo is important because it gives us the opportunity to have a deeper conversation about our purpose and relevance.
The desire to have bigger, better, and bolder projects makes challenging the status quo not an option but a necessity. Online and blended learning platforms are helping provide more students than ever with quality education opportunities. Being an organization that advocates for causes and embraces global diversity is not just a possibility, but a reality in Rotary.
I embrace Rotary’s strategic vision and Action Plan as the change we need to position Rotary to evolve as it should. It’s the road forward to the new normal, acknowledging the changing world around us.