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PRESIDENTS' CORNER
One year ago, when asked the question, “In what cities are there
Rotary Clubs?” it was our custom to give the list. Now we find
it easier to say:
“There are Rotary Clubs in all important cities of the United
States except
Baltimore, Washington, Milwaukee, Louisville, Atlanta and
Denver. There are also two clubs in Canada and we have strong
reason to believe that we shall soon have a club in London,
England, and another in Glasgow, Scotland.”
But who would have thought to pick out the above group of
American cities and label them with the badge of unprogressive
“non-Rotarian”?
Let every Rotarian send to the National Headquarters the name of
every person in those cities whom he knows and believes to be
the right sort of which to make a good Rotarian; this to the
end that the next National Convention may include
representatives from every important American, city.
Some years ago I, made discovery of the fact I that I could
associate just as enjoyably with a man who might be in a
position to send me an item of business as with a man who could
not by any possibility do so. The thought that a friend of mine
might perhaps insist on thrusting business upon me possessed for
me no terrors nor constituted an impairment of my enjoyment of
his society. After this psychological phenomena bad been given
opportunity to fully soak in, I made application for membership
in Rotary.
Across the big pond there are rich opportunities for Rotary.
There was a time
within your remembrance and ours when Great Britain and the
planet Mars seemed about equi distant, but luxurious leviathans
have taken the “across the seas” out of the planetary class,
and with the result that Liverpool now sounds scarcely more
foreign than Oshkosh.
Adolescence in organizations carries with it as convincing
evidences as it does in humanity. When a boy bas outgrown his
suit of clothes, there is nothing within reason to do but get
him another. When an organization, has swelled itself to the
point where it fills every chink and cranny of the land of its
nativity, there is nothing rational to do but cast aside its
national garb and done its vesture of internationalism.
To
how great a percentage of the inhabitants, of this globe does
the acquisition of influence and power constitute the Ultima
Thule of human ambition? How or to what end such influence and
power is to be used is often deemed a matter of minor or
absolutely no importance. One of the most powerful influences in
the civilization of this day is the press, and yet many American
journals whose tremendous circulations, constitute indubitable
proof of their influence and power, wield such influence and
power with about the same degree of tender regard to principle
and truth as would a bar room full of drunken sailors. It is to
be hoped that THE NATIONAL ROTARIAN may possess an influence and
the power to spread , the principles of Rotary throughout the
land and that its publishers may never become unmindful of the
fact that the acquisition of influence and power means the
assumption of great responsibility.
It
is most pleasing to note how Rotary stimulates and brings forth
ideas in all the clubs. Let us have a competition at the
Portland Convention. We will give an award of merit for the
best, new and original idea for the advancement of the
interests of the individual clubs. The Convention itself or a
committee can make the award. Let each club endeavor to send its
delegates with at least one new idea or suggestion.
PAUL P. HARRIS. |
