The Future of Rotary

The answer is simple – the future of Rotary is what we create today. For a long time we have known that we are responsible for the future, but it was only on April 28, 2010 that we officially gave it a name:*New Generations. On that date, it was designated as its own avenue of service in recognition of the importance of the work we do with children and young adults. Rotarians have a long history of working with youth. One day these students will become the leaders in our communities and hopefully, Rotary.

District 6900 is one of the world’s leaders in youth programs. In 1946 we gave birth to the Georgia Rotary with the expressed goal of spreading peace through understanding. Will Watt in the Thomasville club had a vision of helping the world understand each other better in the aftermath of World War II and felt that bringing students to Georgia to live for a year was the best way to teach them about America and each other. The object was to bring students who had a potential to become leaders in their own country here to develop relationships with us and with students from other countries. The first class had 9 students. Since then, thousands of college students from around the world have participated in the GRSP program. This year about 55 college students will live with host families here in Georgia, enriching their lives and ours.

Through our work with Rotary Foundation grants, clubs in our district have worked with youth around the world providing health care, food, literacy training, schools, clean water and of course polio vaccinations. Because of our work, children have had the chance to grow into healthy adults. We also work with children right here in our own backyard. One of the most aggressive youth programs right now is the South Georgia literacy initiative. Fourteen clubs have already joined together to help provide literacy and numeracy training in their communities. So far they have provided books, training and school supplies across the area. The children they are reaching today have a better chance of graduating and making a difference in Georgia.

Clubs all across the district are working with children and young adults, doing their best to meet the needs of their area. Every club is different, but every club is doing something to improve the lives of the youth in their community and to ensure the Future of Rotary.

September is *New Generations Month. Create the Future of Rotary.

Margie Kersey
District Governor 2011-12

*editor's note: Lyman Louis is our New Generations Director