For any network to be successful, it must be of perceived benefit to its participants. With the creation of the Davidson network by the Madras (Chennai) and Bombay (Mumbai) clubs the links have been established. Now we must ensure it has value to the clubs it reaches. We can do this by capitalizing on the opportunities it creates.
The first opportunity is to learn about and share the common roots that all Davidson chartered clubs have, when he filled in gaps in the world-wide network of Rotary clubs. Now Rotary is the only service club that has maintained its circumnavigation of the world for almost 100 years. Davidson himself represents a unique example to follow of service about self, a role model for everyone that has followed in his footsteps - and a story that has been too discretely shared.
The impact of the pioneering clubs he chartered has been remarkable. The Madras club has formed first, second and third generation daughter clubs numbering in the hundreds. As Rotary leaders in their zone, they are looked to for ideas, enthusiasm and direction. Think of the pride Davidson would have felt from the work and accomplishments of the clubs he chartered.
The second opportunity is to celebrate the coming decade of centenaries, by sharing each clubs’ 100 years of accomplishments, as a way of learning what a century of work in Rotary has achieved. As one colleague said, anniversaries are a time to reflect, look back, take stock, learn but more importantly, map the future. Sharing the past with new members gives all members the opportunity to look forward with a clearer vision of what can be achieved.
A third focus is to look at what has been accomplishment together, as members of Rotary. Tackling the eradication of polio is the prime example of what cooperation and joint effort by and within an international organization can achieve. My belief is that when polio is eradicated from the last two endemic countries, Rotary and its partners should receive a Nobel prize.
Another opportunity is to revisit Davidson’s 1920 desire for Rotary, to promote mutual understanding through goodwill, fellowship and friendships. His objective was as important then as it is now. With the new and invaluable tool of ZOOMing, international connections are easier to establish and maintain. On one ZOOM call there were over 750 on line, which confirms the potential there is in creating the Davidson network. The Bombay and Madras clubs have touched a chord.
I can hardly wait until the Covid-19 restrictions are lifted and complete my visits to the remaining Davidson chartered clubs. Other Rotarians can do this too, or meet together at the 1923 Melbourne and 2025 Calgary RI conventions.
Davidson set the stage when he wrote in his last paragraph in 1920, of his expectations of Rotary, and how it had the ability to become ‘an International Power’.1
“Mutual understanding is the greatest of all factors in the development of international friendship. It must come largely by the personal interchange of ideas among the peoples concerned…Never has this old world been so much in need of the adoption and practice of these ideals [of harmony, good fellowship, fair play and service] as today. ROTARY CAN LEAD THE WAY”
Where there is a challenge, there is an opportunity.
Robert Lampard, MD
1 James W. Davidson, “Rotary as an International Power”, Rotarian XVII(1), July 1920.)
