As you read this letter, Amy Higgins, Gary Stokes, and I are in Houston, Texas focusing on all things Rotary at the Rotary International Conference. Which got me thinking about this week’s Rotary “F” word, “Focus.”
When one is elected president of a Rotary club, we’re sent to PETS (President Elect Training Seminar) to learn about the guiding principles of Rotary. Of course, I know the Rotary Four Way test. (1. Is it the TRUTH? 2. Is it FAIR to all concerned? 3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS? 4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?) But I’ll admit I didn’t know about “The Rotary Foundation’s Seven Areas of Focus.” Do you?
To focus Rotary’s efforts, The Rotary International Foundation has chosen seven areas where Rotary can contribute to lasting change. These causes help Rotary align all of our work in communities and maximize our global impact.
- Peacebuilding and conflict prevention
- Disease prevention and treatment
- Water, sanitation, and hygiene
- Maternal and child health
- Basic education and literacy
- Community economic development
- Environment
As a member of Rotary Club #21, you are part of a larger organization that has over 46,000 clubs and more than 1.4 million people worldwide! So next time someone asks you what is the “focus” of Rotary, you can tell them about our seven areas for focus!
So remember, F is for “Focus!” And Rotary has seven areas of focus that are helping our 1.4 million members make a difference in our community and world!
