Newly installed Club President, Danielle Breidung, shares her vision and inspiration for the 2018-2019 Rotary Year with her fellow Club Members and Community Allies.
Welcome to the Rotary New Year! At last week’s meeting, Assistant Governor Nancy Reidel, fellow Bluffton Rotarians, and several honored guests joined my board and me in celebrating the installation of our club’s 2018-2019 board of directors.
After we were formally installed, I thanked past president John Kirkland for inviting me to serve as president elect during his term and for the selfless service our club’s other past presidents have demonstrated over the years.
I also encouraged future club presidents and others to take note of the things about our club that they like as well as those that could benefit from improvement because Rotary is, according to Rotary International, “a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change - across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.” We all have the chance to make our organization and Foundation better prepared to address the world’s challenges. Are you ready to do your part?
Over the next 12 months, I am excited to work alongside the board of directors as well as every club member to achieve my vision for 2018-2019: “Members of the Rotary Club of Bluffton will be more aware of (and, hopefully, personally connected to) Rotary International’s global presence and impact. In addition to hosting speakers who are well-acquainted with Rotary International’s efforts, the Club will also partner with at least one other club (either locally or globally) to bring a collaborative project or initiative to fruition.”
As a reminder, Rotary International’s areas of focus include: (1) Disease prevention and treatment; (2) community and economic development; (3) peace and conflict prevention/resolution; (4) water and sanitation; (5) maternal and child health; and (6) basic education and literacy.
This year our meetings will include considerable Club and Rotary International education, as well as guest speakers relevant to Rotary International’s theme for each month. The purpose of this shift is to ensure that all of us can be the best, most informed ambassadors of our organization. Rotary International President Barry Rassin has challenged us to: “Be the Inspiration” this year, and here in Bluffton, we will do our very best to live up to his request.
I would like to thank all of you for the mentorship, friendship, and encouragement that has led me to this position within our Club. If you have not already, please identify a committee with which you would like to collaborate this year. By working together and always keeping the Four-Way Test in mind, we can make positive differences in Bluffton and across the world. If there is anyway that I can be of service to you, please do not hesitate to contact me. I look forward to getting to know all of you better this year and to collectively accomplishing great things.