Past District Governor, ‘One Love’ Alex Nyaga, our Chief Guest Mrs. Mary Wangari, District Officials, our Assistant Governor Gary Ananda and other AGs. Past Presidents of the Rotary Club of Nairobi Madaraka, my classmates, Rotarians, Rotaractors, my family, and guests.
To say tonight is the best night of my life would be an understatement. It’s truly an honor to serve as the 13th President of this great club. The Rotary Club of Nairobi Madaraka is a remarkable organization. I am filled with excitement and anticipation as we embark on this magical year of Rotary. I’m humbled to be standing before all of you. Tonight, we celebrate the remarkable achievements of our outgoing team. We also welcome the new team. They will lead us to new frontiers in creating impact in our communities.
First, I want to express my heartfelt appreciation to President Joel. I also want to thank his board for their exceptional leadership and commitment over the past year. Under his guidance, we handed over a refurbished and well-stocked library to the Friend’s Integrated Centre in Kariobangi. This was done through our Maktaba Digital Literacy project. Additionally, we partnered with LG Electronics East Africa, receiving Kshs.6 million. The fund was used to sink a borehole in Ol Dorko Mosiro Primary School. We also purchased books for beneficiary schools under the Maktaba Project and renovated Gathiga Children’s Home. Joel’s legacy of service and excellence will be remembered for years to come. As they say, “Great leaders don’t set out to be a leader… they set out to make a difference.”
As Muhammad Ali once said, “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.” Joining Rotary 12 years ago was the greatest and easiest decision I ever made. It was a call to service. I believe each of us here answered this call. We joined this international organization dedicated to creating hope and impact. When we serve others, we not only change their lives but also discover our true purpose and fulfillment.
In this centennial year, I am particularly excited to focus on five key initiatives that I believe will propel our club ahead:
- Membership Engagement: The most important resource of any organization is its members. Our goal is to enrich each member’s experience in the club, fostering a sense of loyalty and pride. Together with my board, we’re planning exciting weekly fellowships and creative socials. These events include Ladies’ Beads & Bubbly and Men’s BBQ in November. We are also organizing an out-of-town road trip. These events will give members opportunities to bond and rejuvenate.
- Collaboration: While we can go faster alone, we can go farther together. We will collaborate with other like-minded organizations and clubs. These include the Rotary Clubs of Nairobi Samawati, Hurlingham, and Nairobi Connect. We will have joint socials, including a mega game night in October to celebrate 100 years of service in Rotary. We also plan to partner with more corporates for larger, more impactful projects. And speaking of collaboration, I always say, “Teamwork makes the dream work,” unless you’re in a group project—it’s just one person doing all the work!
- Mental Health: Mental health is a growing concern in our society, and Rotary clubs are increasingly called to address it. As someone who has faced mental health challenges, I know firsthand the importance of a supportive community. We will work with the Membership & Club Admin committees. Our goal is to implement measures to ensure the mental well-being of our members.
- Increasing Our Impact: Building on last year’s contributions, where we raised US$3,240 for the Rotary Foundation. We aim to increase our contribution to US$5,000. These funds will return to us as District and Global Grants, enabling us to undertake more impactful and sustainable projects.
- Enhancing Our Visibility and Awareness: We plan to increase our club’s visibility. We also aim to raise awareness through a strong public image and communication strategy. The membership committee will soon launch ‘Tell Your Rotary Story.’ Our PR team will assist in this launch. Each member will share their unique Rotary experience. By sharing our stories, we hope to attract like-minded individuals to join our community of changemakers. We also aim to partner with a multi-award-winning Kenyan content creator. They will produce short stories highlighting the impact of our projects over the past 12 years.
None of this can happen without the collective effort and collaboration of our members. I encourage each of you to actively participate in club activities. Share your ideas and expertise. Uphold the values of Rotary in everything you do. Your passion, dedication, and innovative spirit make our club strong and vibrant.
As I conclude, I want to express my deep appreciation. It has been an honor to serve as your President for this magical year of Rotary. Together, let us continue Rotary’s mission of making the world a better place, one community at a time. With your support and dedication, I am confident we can achieve great things in the year ahead.
Let’s raise our glasses and toast to a beautiful, magical year ahead, celebrating 100 years of service in Africa.
Salut mi familia!
Tell us about your thoughtsWrite message