Presidential Message: Create Lasting Impact
A Call to Purpose
My dear Rotary family,
As we stand on the threshold of the 2026-27 Rotary year, we are not merely starting a new calendar; we are reaffirming our commitment to a world that desperately needs our vision. Our journey this year is guided by a singular, powerful mandate: Create Lasting Impact.
For over a century, Rotary has been defined by its service. We have built schools, dug wells, and protected children from disease. But as we evolve, our challenge is no longer just to "serve"—it is to ensure that our service creates a ripple effect that never stops.
Beyond the Moment
The essence of "Create Lasting Impact" is to look past the immediate horizon. It is a call to move from short-term relief to long-term resilience. When we design a project, we must ask ourselves: "Will this work survive our tenure? Will the community own this success ten years from now?"
To achieve this, our focus this year will be on:
Sustainability as a Standard: We will prioritize projects that are ecologically sound, economically viable, and socially inclusive.
Strengthening the Action Plan: We must continue to increase our impact and expand our reach by being adaptable and ensuring every member finds a meaningful way to contribute.
The Power of Partnership: No legacy is built in isolation. By strengthening our ties with local leaders and global organizations, we multiply our strength.
Our Legacy is Today
We are the architects of change. As leaders in your districts and clubs, you have the unique opportunity to inspire a shift in mindset—from doing "good" to doing "good that lasts."
The true measure of our success in 2026-27 will not be found in the speeches we give or the ribbons we cut. It will be found in the lives of the people who, long after we have finished our terms, continue to thrive because of the foundation we laid today.
Let us work with heart, lead with integrity, and together, let us Create Lasting Impact.
Olayinka Hakeem Babalola President, Rotary International 2026-27
