Barry Rassin President 2018-19

One of the things I appreciate most about serving as president of Rotary International is the people I get to meet.   Much of my time is spent traveling and visiting Rotary clubs around the world.   A Rotarian welcome is something quite special.   But let me tell you, there's nothing so warm as the welcomes that have been rolled out for me by Rotaractors.   These are young people who are committed to Rotary ideals, who are pouring their hearts into service, and who, in the process, don't forget to have fun.

One of the highlights of my recent travels was a trip to Ghana, where I visited a district that boasts some 60 Rotaract clubs.   They aren't satisfied with that number, though — in fact, they're excited about a plan to double it.   They'll do it, too.

Rotaractors are vaccinating children against polio.   They're donating blood where the supply is dangerously low.   They're providing hand washing facilities to schools where children previously had no way to get clean.   In short, they're all about transformational service: carrying out projects that make a real difference in their communities.       >>>>