Over 500 Rotarian District Governors gathering from every corner of the world attended the International Assembly in Anaheim this past week. In his welcoming remarks Rotary International President Jonathan Majiyagbe asked the assembled Governors, International Past Presidents, Directors, Trustees and All of the family of Rotary to ponder these words of our founder Paul Harris.

“The future of Rotary is shrouded in expectant mystery. It is for you my new Rotary friends, to aid in the unfurling of the Rotarian destiny.

Rotary International President-elect Glenn E. Estess Sr. introduced the theme for 2004-05 with the following words.

“On a cold February evening nearly 100 years ago, four men gathered in a Chicago mining engineer’s office.

Paul Harris, Sylvester Schiele, Gustavus Loehr and Hiram Shorey didn’t think that one century later 31,000 clubs in 166 countries would be meeting every week. And they certainly didn’t think that they were launching a movement that would capture the hearts and minds of so many.

They only knew that they needed more friends in their lives -- and they took a simple action toward that goal.

We are now approaching the 100^th anniversary of their action -- a simple meeting between four businessmen.

And when we celebrate all of the wonderful things that have happened as a result of that action, I will ask all Rotarians to join me as we embrace our theme in 2004-05 and CELEBRATE ROTARY.”

President-elect Glenn’s words were met with a thunderous standing ovation as the assembled Family of Rotary considered their roles in Rotary’s Second Century of Service. PE Glenn continued and asked that we CELEBRATE ROTARY by:

• Strengthening our community bonds with Centennial Community Projects.

• Strengthening our international bonds with the Twin Clubs Program.

• Achieving our centennial goals for PolioPlus, membership growth and Every Rotarian Every Year.

• And most of all by performing countless acts of service – in our clubs, our vocations, our communities, and our world.

• AND by sharing Rotary with others in fellowship and service we will Celebrate a Century of Service, Celebrate a new Century of Success, and most of all – CELEBRATE ROTARY!

Thanks to PDG Eddy Blender, Vail-Eagle Valley Rotary D5470 for this timely story.