Why I Am A Rotarian
February 18, 2007
 Ernst G.
Breitholtz, president of Rotary International in 1971-72, once
said, “Rotary is not an organization; Rotary is a philosophy.”
To my mind, the
fundamental part of this philosophy is the way Rotary brings
individuals together from various parts of the world for
personal and close acquaintance on an equal level, quite
regardless of faith, politics, gender,
race, or nationality. And it lets them meet informally, without
prestige being observed.
The basic word is
“understanding”—to try to see disparities, facts, and problems
through the eyes of your opponent, your competitor, your
neighbor, your friend.
These informal contacts, person to person, eye to eye, form an
effective network for peace in a hard world. So, Rotary is a
philosophy for a purposeful future. This philosophy is the main
reason for me to be a Rotarian, and why I am thankful to the
Rotarian who, 28 years ago, proposed me as a member of my Rotary
club.
Rotary brings
quality of life to me, and I will try
to return good for good.
Lennart Arfwidsson
[architecture].
Director, Rotary International, 1992-94.
Member of the Rotary Club of Västervik, Sweden
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