A recent Facebook public announcement, referencing a
potential update in an organization's web page, said "We believe these changes will more clearly show that our
organization is making the world a better place — and will persuade potential
members and donors to support our work by joining a club, volunteering on
a project, or donating to a cause." (The organization's name has been deliberately omitted.) If the changes in the web page follow the philosophical concept of
this public announcement, the web site will fail miserably. This philosophical approach is clearly from the organization's point of view, and readers could receive the message that the organization
is desperate for members and donors.
Suppose the announcement was from readers' points of view, and went
something like this: "We believe
these changes will clearly show potential members and donors how they can help
make the world a better place."
The subject organization could have been Rotary several
years ago. Thankfully many Rotary
leaders now realize that Rotarians, using attributes created by Rotarians, are making the world a better
place. This is because being a Rotarian is
more than just joining a club; is more than volunteering on projects; is more
than donating to a cause. Almost any human can do any or all of these things. Being a Rotarian means networking with the few
who, by advancing the Object of Rotary, are applying the Ideal of Service in
their personal, business and community lives and are making the world better,
one community at the time. They are not just anybody. . . they are Rotarians, and
