數年前，一位認識不久的朋友問我：「扶輪是什麼?」當我正要開口回答這個看起來似乎單純的問題時，我竟然不知道該從何開始。這並不是因為我不瞭解扶輪，而是因為要解釋規模龐大且複雜的扶輪，不是一言兩語說得清的。我們是以社員為本，也以扶輪社為本，並以服務為本的組織；我們是含有本地性、地域性以及國際性要素的組織。我們的，社員是在近乎世界所有國家積極參與各種活動的社區人士、事業與專業人士以及現職及退休人士。更何況我們120萬名的社友，各自有自己的人生目標、獨特的生活經驗和優先事宜。因此，每一位社，友都對扶輪持著獨自的理解。
對我來說,扶輪的定義並不在於我們是誰，而是在於我們以透過扶輪引發的潛力，身體力行為人服 務的作偽。扶輪已有112年的歷史。我們隨著歲月成長繼而成熟，回應社友和社區需求的變化。扶輪在某些方面確實改變了許多，然而，扶輪的根本仍是一群攝取扶輪的力量致力於改善各自和全球社區 生活的人士。我們以藉由服務造福人群的行動來說明扶輪是什麼。
從組織的角度來說，我們瞭解到公眾對扶輪及其2017-18服務活動有所認識的重要性。然而，我們也明白更重要的是每一個扶輪社應各自為扶輪服務下定義。現在，扶輪社員有未曾有的彈性來決定本社的例會方式、活動方法以及擴展的可能性。同時，我們更注重於增加女性及更多元化的社員構造來反映受益族群。我們之所以強調規劃長期策略的重要性，實施有持續性的服務計劃，以及在各層級確保領導力 的延續性，都是為了要推動扶輪繼續是世界的主要 義工服務組織。
在2017–2018年度，我們對「扶輪是什麼」這個問題的回答是：「扶輪改善世界」。不論是建造新的兒童遊戲場，改善醫療護理或衛生設備，或者培育衝突仲裁人或助產士，我們之所以實施各種服務活動是因為我們瞭解這些服務或多或少使人們的生活變得更好。每一位社友加入扶輪的動機各有所異但是我們留在扶輪的原因則不外乎因為我們週復一週，年復一年，得以深深體驗「扶輪改善世界」的充實感。
萊斯禮Ian H.S. Riseley
社長，國際扶輪，2017-18年度
Some years ago, a new acquaintance asked me what should have been a simple question:
“What is Rotary?”I opened my mouth to reply and then stopped short with the realization that I simply did not know where to begin.
The problem wasn't that I didn't know what Rotary was. The problem was that Rotary was — and is — too large and complex to easily define. We are a member- based organization, a club-based organization, and a servicebased organization; we are local, regional, and international; we are community members, businesspeople and professionals, working and retired, active in nearly every country in the world. Every one of our 1.2 million members has a unique set of goals, experiences, and priorities; every one of us has a unique understanding of Rotary.
To me, Rotary is defined not by who we are, but by what we do — by the potential that Rotary gives us, and the ways we realize that potential in meaningful and lasting service. Rotary has been around for a long time: 112 years. In some ways, we've changed tremendously, as we've grown, matured, and adapted to the changing needs of our members and communities. In our fundamentals, however, we remain the same: an organization of people with the desire— and through Rotary, the ability — to make a difference in our communities, and the world. We answer the question“What is Rotary?”with our actions, by making a difference through our service.
As an organization, we recognize how important it is that the world understand what Rotary is, and what we do. At the same time, we know that it is more important than ever to allow our clubs to define Rotary service for themselves. As Rotarians, we have more flexibility than ever to decide how we want our clubs to meet, work, and grow. We're focused more than ever on making sure that Rotary reflects the people it serves, with more women and a more diverse membership. And we're working hard to ensure that Rotary remains the world's pre-eminent volunteer service organization, by emphasizing long- term planning, sustainable service, and continuity in leadership on every level.
In 2017-18, we will answer the question“What is Rotary?”with the theme Rotary: Making a Difference.
However each of us chooses to serve, we do it because we know our service makes a difference in the lives of others. Whether we are building a new playground or a new school, improving medical care or sanitation, training conflict mediators or midwives, we know that the work we do will change people's lives — in ways large and small — for the better. Whatever motivation each of us had for joining Rotary, it is the satisfaction we find in Rotary that causes us to remain, the satisfaction of knowing that week by week, year by year, we are part of Rotary: Making a Difference.
Ian H.S. Riseley
President, Rotary International, 2017-18