Rotary's Power for World Peace

Contributed by Dr. Wolfgang Ziegler 22 October 2005

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.