Giay affirms need for visionary leaders
By Donna Polydoros
Rotary International News – 20 January 2010
Giay speaks at the third plenary session of the 2010 International Assembly.
Rotary Images/Monika Lozinska-Lee
Past RI President Luis Vicente Giay reminded incoming district governors that their work to implement strategic planning could have a profound impact on the future of Rotary.
During the third plenary session of the 2010 International Assembly, Giay made the case for strategic planning by explaining that Rotary's annual changes in leadership, though healthy, present a challenge to the organization's progress.
"Visionary leaders are needed to achieve continuity in our work," said Giay. "You are the visionary leaders that Rotary needs."
The 2009 calendar year saw several developments that will affect the next class of Rotary leaders. The RI Board of Directors adopted a revised strategic plan , which emphasizes supporting and strengthening clubs, focusing and increasing humanitarian service, and enhancing public image and awareness.
Also, The Rotary Foundation selected districts for the Future Vision pilot, a three-year test of a new Foundation grant structure that will begin 1 July.
Faced with these changes and other challenges in their clubs and districts, district governors-elect must take a consistent, comprehensive, and forward-thinking approach to their terms as leaders, Giay said.
"Today, more than ever, organizations depend on flexible, well-structured plans with clear objectives to help them face current problems and involve current and future generations of leaders in finding solutions," he said.
He emphasized that Rotary club leaders and members also should be involved in strategic planning by clearly defining their goals. Rotary International offers several resources for clubs to use to develop a strategic plan, including the Strategic Planning Guide.
Learn more about the RI Strategic Plan and the Future Vision Plan.