by Rajiv Mathews George
Assistant Governor 2025/26
I had the distinct honour of meeting the Rotary International President Francesco Arezzo of the Rotary Club of Ragusa, Italy, at a dinner hosted by our District to welcome him to Kuala Lumpur for the Genting Institute.
As Assistant Governor representing the Rotary Club of Petaling Jaya, I was grateful for the opportunity to speak with him personally. I must admit I was initially hesitant, uncertain whether I was following proper protocol. However, I summoned the courage to approach him with a request—a congratulatory letter for our club’s 65th Anniversary souvenir program, planned for January 17, 2026.
President Arezzo’s response exemplified the spirit of Rotary. He was remarkably open, humble, and genuinely supportive. Without hesitation, he offered his business card and invited me to email him, assuring me he would personally ensure a response. True to his word, his staff in Evanston promptly replied, noting that while they were observing Thanksgiving holidays in the USA, they had received President Arezzo’s note to prepare the letter upon receiving my request.
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Do Rotary Every Day
This invaluable experience reinforced President Arezzo’s inspiring message for the evening: to “Do Rotary Every Day” rather than simply being a Rotarian. His accessibility and genuine commitment to supporting clubs, regardless of size or location, left a lasting impression on me and reminded me why our organization continues to make a difference in communities worldwide.
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