Being on the younger side of the Rotary spectrum, I certainly have different views on Rotary matters than the more elderly members, as we see the world quite differently. There is one area however that I am quite old fashioned about, and that is the wearing of our Rotary bling. I’m not talking about our everyday Rotary pins, as that is a different story, but of the President’s chain.
My husband Mike is the President of the Rotary Club of Botany East Tamaki this year, and I remember wishing him good luck for his first meeting and not to forget his Rotary bling. He laughed because it sounded so old fashioned, but for me is part of the job. I was amazed at how many clubs during my year as District Governor, made jokes of dusting off the chain when the DG was visiting, so they had to wear it. Unbelievable in my eyes!
Yes, I admit it doesn’t make you a better President by wearing it, but shouldn’t you feel proud to be President and wear it? Your club voted you into this position, so you should feel proud to represent it by wearing the chain of office. Members and non members will then know you are President and that you are “boss” for the year. You might not like this, but honestly, if things turn to custard as they inevitably do, you are in the hot seat as President whether you like it or not.
Be proud to be President for a year and be proud to wear the club’s chain, representing all those who have gone before you. It’s only a year (if you’re lucky) and won’t hurt. It’s time to be proud of our Rotary bling and not leave it in its box collecting dust.
- By PDG Leanne Jaggs, Rotary Down Under NZ Promotions Committee District 9920 Representative
[Blog editor's comment: Re-examining and discussing how things are done in Rotary is good - it educates and helps ro either reaffirm the value of what we do against our goals and objectives or provides a catlyst for change. The Editor of the Rotary Down Under magazine includes a similar monthly that is worth reading - www.rotarydowunder.org ]
