Annual Rotary Themes
In 1955, RI President A.Z. Baker announced a theme, Develop Our Resources, to serve as Rotary's program of emphasis. Since that time, each president has issued a theme for his Rotary year. The shortest theme was in 196 1-62 when Joseph Abey selected Act. Other one-word themes were chosen in 1957-58 by Charles Tennent (Serve) and 1968-69 by Kiyoshi Togasaki (Participate).
Carl Miller, in 1963-64, proposed a theme for the times, Guidelines for Rotary in the Space Age. Other "timely" themes were in 1980-81 when Rolf Klarich created Take Time to Serve and William Carter in 1973-74 used Time for Action. Two themes have a similarity to commercial advertising: A Better World Through Rotary (Richard Evans, 1966-67) and Reach Out (Clem Renouf, 1978-79). Bridges have been a striking metaphor. Harold Thomas, 1959-60, urged Rotarians to Build Bridges of Friendship; William Walk, 1970-71, created Bridge the Gap; and Hiroji Mukasa, 1982-83, declared Mankind is One - Build Bridges of Friendship Throughout the World.
A worldwide focus was given by Stanley McCaffrey in 1981-82 with the message, World Understanding and Peace Through Rotary, and again in 1984-85 by Carlos Canseco who urged Rotarians to Discover a New World of Service. In other years, the individual was emphasized, as You Are Rotary (Edd McLaughlin, 1960-61), Goodwill Begins With You (Ernst Breitholtz, 1971-72) and You Are the Key (Edward Cadman, 1985-86). Frequently, the theme urges Rotarians to become more involved in their club, such as Share Rotary - Serve People (William Skelton, 1983-84) or Make Your Rotary Membership Effective (Luther Hodges, 1967-68). But whether you Review and Renew, Take a New Look, Let Service Light the Way or Dignify the Human Being, it is clear that the RI president provides Rotarians with an important annual program of emphasis.
In 1986-87, President M.A.T. Caparas selected the inspiring message that Rotary Brings Hope. Charles Keller in 1987-88 saw Rotarians - United in Service, Dedicated to Peace, while Royce Abbey asked his fellow members in 1988-89 to Put Life into Rotary - Your Life. Hugh Archer (1989-90) urged us to Enjoy Rotary! and Paulo Costa (1990-91) asked that we Honor Rotary with Faith and Enthusiasm. Rajendra Saboo (199 1-92) exhorted every Rotarian to Look Beyond Yourself
In 1992-93, Clifford Dochterman reminded Rotarians, Real Happiness Is Helping Others, and in 1993-94, Robert Barth counseled Rotarians, Believe In What You Do and Do What You Believe In. In 1994-95, Bill Huntley encouraged Rotarians to Be A Friend to their communities. During 1995-96, Herbert Brown asked Rotarians to Act with Integrity, Serve with Love, Work for Peace. In 1996-97, Luis Giay called on Rotarians to Build the Future with Action and Vision. Glen Kinross in 1997-98 pro-posed the plan to Show Rotary Cares, and James Lacy asked Rotarians to Follow Your Rotary Dream in 1998-99. In 1999-2000, Carlo Ravizza proposed the theme Rotary 2000: Act With Consistency, Credibility, Continuity. The next year, Frank Devlyn asked Rotarians to Create Awareness and Take Action, and in 2001-02, Richard King reminded Rotarians that Mankind Is Our Business. For 2002-03, Bhichai Rattakul encouraged Rotarians to Sow the Seeds of Love.
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