總監文告
因為,在這一年, 117年以來,國際扶輪誕生了第一位女性的總社社長. RI社長Jennifer Jones帶著全球扶輪人的期待,給予了新的年度一句口號: Imagine Rotary,中文翻譯為『想像扶輪』.
在國際扶輪約有10年以來,全球社員人數幾乎持平的現狀下,每一年國際扶輪都不斷地呼籲,需要增加社員,成立新社,但就長期來看,每一年增加了許多社友,也幾乎流失了這麼多社友,不知道大家會不會覺得,有種白忙了一場的感覺呢?如果在每一年的進進出出中,我們所留下的是更多更優質的社友,而離開的,是不符合扶輪核心價值標準的社友,那麼我想,大家都不會有所遺憾,然而事實往往不然.
目前3481地區正處於創區後5年的一個關鍵時期,在這5年內,夾帶著從3480地區時代所帶來的優良傳統,每一屆總監與社長社友們的努力,我們截至目前為止,屬於一個不管在社數,或是社員總數來說,都算不少的地區.再更細看,我們目前有1/3的社友,入社是在3年內,也有1/3的社,是這5年內成立的,而6月份的社員續留率是91.65%,這喚起我們的注意,社友們對於自己的扶輪生活,扶輪體驗,是否滿意?
疫情為我們帶來的一課是什麼?所有以為不可能的,都要變成可能,不適應的,都要慢慢接受,我們除了更謙卑,更自省,更節制自己的慾望與貪求,是不是應該更加尊重,打從心裡的尊重自己以外的萬物呢?扶輪所倡導的DEI(Diversity. Equity. Inclusion)多元.平等.包容,說的是我們面對如此高比例的扶輪新家人,甚至還未能有機會了解真正的扶輪文化,應該用尊重與平等的心去對待,而對於自己,不管是資深或是新進,身為一個扶輪社友,就應該以四大考驗,來時時檢視自己,而不是拿來要求他人.當越來越多人的標準提高,彼此之間相互以平等心尊重,那麼,我們會有怎樣的扶輪體驗呢?想必,會是更有品質,也更正向的吧!
每位扶輪社友,基於不同的原因,不同的期望而加入扶輪,想像的扶輪樣貌也都不同,讓我們一起承擔起串連的責任,讓不同世代能夠融合,讓多元的背景豐富我們不變的,高道德標準這個價值觀的扶輪生活.
2022-23年度,我們是超人團隊,不只在與環境變化的應變上,要有超人的能力外,更是要有隨時挺身而出,承擔而起的勇氣與決心,那才是我們的超人團隊.
在承先啟後的時代,我提出『扶輪傳承.世代共好』的目標,期盼每一位超人團隊的夥伴,能夠充分認知自己在扶輪這條路上的使命,是一個將珍貴的價值觀,毫不打折扣的傳承下去,是讓所有我們的扶輪家人,不是您好或是我好,而是共好.
對於嶄新的2022-23年度,我衷心期盼,我們以善的循環不斷延伸,共同實現一個值得我們珍惜的扶輪時代.
2022-23年度地區總監 邱文麗 DG Wendy
RY2022-23 will be a memorable year to most Rotarians! This year, Rotary International has its first female president in 117 years. With full anticipation from Rotarians around the world, RI President Jennifer Jones announced the theme of the year: “Imagine Rotary.”
The number of global membership of Rotary has stayed the same for the past 10 years. Rotary International keeps calling for membership growth and new clubs establishment every year yet it seems a zero sum game. I wonder if you would feel that we have been working in vain. It would be of no regret if we have retained more quality members, while those who have left are the ones who do not comply with the core values of Rotary. Yet it may not always be the case.
Being 5 years old, District 3481 is at a critical stage. In the past 5 years, thanks to the great tradition inherited from D3480, and with the efforts of all district governors, club presidents, and Rotarians in the past 5 years, our district has achieved great numbers in terms of clubs and membership. A closer look shows that 1/3 of the members joined their clubs within 3 years, 1/3 of the clubs were established within 5 years, and the membership retention rate in June was 91.65%. It calls for our attention: are our members happy with their Rotary life and Rotary experience?
What has the Covid pandemic taught us? We learned to turn what was considered impossible to possible, and to adapt what seemed to be unadaptable. Besides being more humble, more introspective, and restraining more of our own desires, shouldn’t we be more respectful to everyone around us from the bottom of our hearts? The DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) advocated by Rotary means that when facing such a high proportion of new members in our Rotary family who have not even had the opportunity to understand the true Rotary culture, we should treat them with respect and equity. And as Rotarians, whether senior or new, we should always use the 4-way test to reflect on ourselves instead of examining others. What kind of Rotary experience would it be if more people have raised their standards and treat each other with respect and equity? I suppose it will be a more quality and more positive one!
Everyone joins Rotary for different reasons and expectations, and imagines Rotary in different ways. Let us take on our joint responsibilities. Let different generations flourish in harmony. Let our diverse backgrounds enrich our Rotary life while keeping our unchanged high ethical value.
We, the RY2022-23 team, are a superhuman team. Not only should we have superhuman abilities in adapting to changes in the environment, but we should also have the courage and determination to stand up and take responsibility at any time. That is what a superhuman team should be.
In a generation linking the past and the future, I put forward the goal of "Pass on the legacy of Rotary to benefit all generations". It is hoped that every member of the Superhuman team is fully aware of his/her mission as a Rotarian is to pass on without compromise the precious core value of Rotary to future generations, not just for the benefit of you or me, but for the benefit of all.
For the brand new Rotary year 2022-23, I sincerely hope that we will keep extending the cycle of goodness and jointly realize a Rotary era worthy of our cherishing.
Wendy Chiu
District Governor