“President Inauguration Address”
“Secretary Assumption Speech”
July 5, 2006
Mr. Yoshihiko Miyauchi,
President of the Rotary Club of Tokyo
Mr. Yoshikazu Masuda,
Secretary of the Rotary Club of Tokyo
“President Inauguration Address”
Mr. Yoshihiko Miyauchi,
President of the Rotary Club of Tokyo
The Rotary Club of Tokyo in fiscal 2006 will make efforts to create a fulfilled club life, aiming to execute the RI direction, “LEAD THE WAY”, and exploiting our peculiar qualities. We will also respect the Governor’s principle of “originally no east or west, but of one mind” (although this seems to have been taken from the Sutra) for club fulfillment.
The policies of the president of the Club are: “create circles of friendships”, “joy of serving”, and “LEAD THE WAY”.
The first is “creating circles of friendship”. Members in the club are 340, and the number is large, and there is diversity in occupation, age, and experience. I wish for members to attend many meetings, and to get to know one another and communicate with one another. This is the first step in creating a circle of friends.
The second theme is “joy of serving”. I believe that society is made of ties between persons, and increase in the number of beneficial relationships creates a good society, and enhancing these relationships is serving. Serving is not charity. I wish for all to feel the joy of serving by serving society and creating solidarity with society. Members work at occupational service
every day at their workplaces. At the Rotary, international service and social service are emphasized. I want to make “service is the foundation of Rotary” the prime principle for the members.
Lastly, the theme for RI, “LEAD THE WAY”, says that nothing will get done without execution. To create a better club, it is not enough to participate only in spirit, but what is being sought is for each to take action.
In last year’s regional convention, president from each club voiced the opinion that the Rotary Clubs in Japan should exude more “Japaneseness.” It is necessary to understand the RI policies, and think what can be done as Rotary Clubs in Japan and what ought to be done. This is a big issue, and cannot be achieved overnight. I would like to make this year a year of contemplation of the desirable state of our Club, as a member of Japan Rotary and as a leader.
“Secretary Assumption Speech”
Mr. Yoshikazu Masuda,
Secretary of the Rotary Club of Tokyo
The Rotary Club of Tokyo started in fiscal 2006 with 341 members. Today, Rotary Clubs are facing a decline in membership, and our Club has also been experiencing a decline in membership since the peak of 384 in 1993. The pace of decline accelerated since 1997, but since 2003, with a drive toward strengthening membership, there has been a trend toward an increase.
With respect to strengthening membership, it is our plan to meet the target set for this year, of a net increase by 3 members, through continuing efforts to create an attractive club setting and imitating last year’s success, when against a target of 3 new members 6 new members were added. As touched upon in the report by last year’s secretary, the Club recorded a surplus in its accounts for the second consecutive year. One of the reasons for this success was the success in achieving increased membership thanks to your cooperation and efforts. We request that the Membership Strengthening Committee continues to take a center role again this year in actively recommending new candidates worthy of becoming a Tokyo Rotarian.
President Miyauchi commented that in order to achieve a “circle of friendship,” he would like to see members attend as many meetings as possible. By pushing forward the “circle of friendship,” I expect to see an improvement in the attendance rate in the regular meetings this year. If being an attractive club management and attractive regular meeting are reflected in the attendance rate, as the secretary, it is a figure that is of most interest. I request your cooperation.
There appears to be in a normal year low attendance for regular meetings held in the evenings. Get-togethers with family involvement, lubricated with alcohol and becoming “from an acquaintance to a friend,” would seem to be very effective. What are your thoughts?
An evening meeting schedule has already been set. Please note them in your calendars. They are three meetings, October 18, December 20, and February 21 next year. Please make sure to attend.
Lastly, I will make my best efforts toward the betterment of the Rotary Club of Tokyo, and where I may be lacking, I request your help and guidance.