Governor Mamadou Camara's Visit

Governor's Speech

Introduction and Objectives of Rotary this year

We have several essential objectives that clubs are invited to put into practice concretely: innovation, continuity, and partnerships.

This year, Rotary International wants all clubs to reflect on how they operate and adapt to the current environment. We are in Paris, so let's ask ourselves: what should a club look like today, here in Paris? We must no longer think according to the Rotary model of 1905 or 1950. We must adapt to today's context. How do we attract today's Rotarians and those of tomorrow? That is innovation.

This innovation can lead to concrete changes, particularly in how meetings are organized, such as breakfasts or lunches. Feel free to challenge established habits, as everything is open to experimentation.

The same applies to contributions. Feel free to review their amount, provided that this adjustment is validated by the club and meets the expectations of the new generations you wish to welcome. Here is a concrete example of innovation.

Continuity and Governance

Continuity also concerns governance. A president must ensure that an elected president, hence «N+1», is properly designated. You should also ensure that a designated president is appointed for the next three years, which allows for the establishment of a three-year plan. Since July 1st, this three-year plan has been mandatory for all clubs.

Why? Because, for me, it's a matter of Rotary's survival: we've reached a point where Rotary absolutely must reinvent itself. This continuity of governance is strategic: it invites you to question your DNA and what you want to be today.

Rotary has many faces: business clubs, thematic clubs... You must define your DNA in order to attract Rotarians who are like you and who fit your goals.

Partnerships and Opening

Finally, the partnership involves opening Rotary to other professional organizations, other service clubs, but also to local authorities, the municipality, and local institutions. We need to spread the message of Rotary everywhere.

Rotary is an organization of humanitarian professionals. We are neither the Red Cross nor BNI, but an association of professionals who come together to carry out public service actions. We are an international organization.

We rely on four essential criteria: professionalism, public service actions, friendship, and international reach. Few organizations can boast all four of these criteria simultaneously.

At Rotary, you can do anything, whether it's being a group of friendly companions or engaging in meaningful actions for yourself and others.

If you are a Rotarian of the Paris Agora club, you can visit any club in the world, and you will always be welcomed as if you were at home at Paris Agora.

Attractiveness and Transmission

This is the main message conveyed by International President Francesco Arezzo: let's be inspired by these values and work to increase Rotary's attractiveness.

Attractiveness is a major issue, as transmission to future generations is an unavoidable necessity.

Culture and Motto «Serve First»

I will now discuss Rotary's culture and the meaning of our motto, «Service Above Self.» I found an interesting quote from Paul Valéry: «Culture is what answers man when he asks himself what he is doing on Earth.»

The motto «Service Above Self» comes from a Rotarian from Chicago, Arthur Sheldon, who said this phrase in 1911 at a convention in Atlanta: «He profits most who serves best.» This means that personal success is never true success if it is not collective success.

This principle was made official in 1950, at the Detroit convention, to become the official motto of Rotary. «Service Above Self» summarizes Rotary's ethics: we are not here to serve ourselves, but to serve others.

Being a Rotarian is first and foremost a culture, a culture of service, which is the foundation of our DNA. This culture, focused on others, calls for peace, which has always been at the heart of our actions.

Understanding the culture of others is also a way to avoid conflict; it is an act of peace. This has been part of Rotary's values since its inception.

not just a humanitarian organization

Rotary is not a traditional humanitarian organization. Of course, one can make donations to respond to emergencies, but most importantly, we give our time, our skills, sometimes our money, and even the involvement of our families is important.

For example, even when we act locally in Paris, it's not because social services aren't doing their job, but because we want to create local peace through our actions.

Similarly, our international commitment helps our fellow Rotarians or populations in need around the world. This commitment creates bonds that contribute to peaceful reconciliation.

History and formation of Rotarians

I also emphasize the importance of training Rotarians. Without training, it is difficult to fully enjoy Rotary.

Rotary is, above all, about forging strong personal connections. For example, I have a Rotary friend who is a lawyer. I know that if he can help me out for free one day, it's thanks to this bond founded on service.

Service is not about money, but about an ideal. Rotary is not a business club, even if we sometimes talk about «Business» clubs.

Origins of Rotary in Europe

A Rotarian, Stuart Morrow, originally from Ireland, created the first European club in Dublin in 1911, even before the one in London.

Rotary sought to internationalize and hoped to have a club in London, but discovered afterward that Dublin already had a club. This created a unique dynamic, with Dublin being the first in Europe in terms of history, while London is officially recognized by Rotary International.