ROTARY INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT LEADS WITH HEART

Every July 1st, a new president takes over the leadership of Rotary International.  Appropriately, this process allows for a "rotation" of members from different countries to serve in this important role.  A cherished Rotary International tradition is that each new president announces a carefully chosen theme to help inspire members throughout his (so far, it's only been men) term.  Oftentimes the choice of theme reflects not only the personal ideals of the incoming president, but also that of his culture.  And so the newest RI President, Kalyan Banerjee of India, has a beautiful theme for this Rotary year -- Reach Within to Embrace Humanity. 

In his first presidential message which appeared in the Rotary World Magazine Press---the 32 international magazines of RI--- Mr. Banerjee reminds his fellow Rotarians that, "All of us in Rotary are looking to change the world - why else would we be Rotarians?  We believe that our world can be happier, healthier, and more peaceful, and that we can create that better world through our service.

In 2011-12, I will ask Rotarians to Reach Within to Embrace Humanity.  I will ask you to search first within yourselves, to understand that all of us, everywhere, have the same dreams, the same hopes, the same aspirations, and similar dilemmas.  When we understand, and truly feel, that others' needs are the same as our own, we begin to understand how important our work is...." 

Mr. Banerjee goes on to quote the well known words of Mohandas K. Gandhi. " 'You must be the change you wish to see in the world.'  In Rotary, we endeavour to live ethically and honestly, to share friendship and fellowship, to see equal worth in every human being.  We are not interested in the lowest common denominator, for Rotary is anything but common.  Instead, we work to elevate ourselves, elevate others, and thereby embrace the world.

Together, we will Reach Within to Embrace Humanity.  And in peace, harmony, and friendship, we will bring change--and a more joyful world."

Thank you, Mr. Banerjee, for the reminder of these most important sentiments, and goals. May your words and their true meaning be heeded within Rotary International, and throughout the world.

                                                                                                           Candy Isaac
                                                                                                           Songs for Peace

A SONGS FOR PEACE MESSAGE OF PEACE, AND FRIENDSHIP

There’s still something to be said for old-fashioned friendliness as a way to meet interesting new people.  That’s how I met Rotarian Richard “Titch” Harrison many years ago. He visited Rotary International headquarters in Evanston, IL USA often, where I was a staff member.  Our mutual interest in Rotary’s founder, Paul Harris, drew us together, and has led to a lasting friendship.

Titch actually met Paul Harris personally in 1944, as a young Navy officer during a visit to “Rotary One”—the first Rotary club, which was founded by Harris in Chicago, in 1905.  In Rotary-speak, that’s the equivalent of meeting someone who met George Washington!

Titch, 94, also served as a Navy lieutenant during WWII.  He was stationed in Pearl Harbor during the attack, but fortunately his ship—the USS Lexington—was out at sea that day. However, Titch and his crew weren’t as lucky in the Battle of the Coral Sea (the one that saved Australia.)  Though “The Lex” was hit and sunk-- thankfully, Titch has a Purple Heart and (not so thankfully) a spinal injury to show for it. (You can learn more about Titch and his Navy and Rotary days, in his own words, at: http://www.rotaryfirst100.org/clubs/rotaryone/historian/bio.htm)

Last week I introduced Titch to young Navy Lt., Maxwell Anini, who is stationed at Great Lakes Naval Base, in Illinois.  I’d met Maxwell recently, at a little neighborhood jewelry store, where we were both getting new batteries for our watches.  He was in uniform (in a color that I didn't recognize), so I started a conversation with him and the Navy connection led me to tell him about Titch.  Maxwell said he’d like to meet him… “Our generation owes so much to theirs.”  And so we had a lovely lunch at Titch and Elaine Harrison’s Evanston apartment.  

Maxwell, 38, in his full white dress uniform, was a real-life “officer and a gentleman.” He seemed to bring out the former Naval officer in Titch too, who greatly enjoyed the company of a true comrade.  Maxwell told us that he was from Ghana, and had moved to America when he was 18.  He joined the Navy two years later, and recalled, “That’s where I learned about the real America. Everyone spoke with a different accent, in the Navy.  I’d thought that all Americans spoke the same…"

As our wonderful lunch drew to a close, Maxwell noted that, "The world would be a better place if we could all focus more on how we are the same, than how we are different.”

Amen.  May the international language of music help bring the world together in a community of peace.

                                                                        Candy Isaac

                                                                        Songs For Peace

Former U.S. Navy Lt. Richard "Titch" Harrison (left) and U.S. Navy Lt. Maxwell Anini (Above)