To All Rotarians in Rotary District 7120,
Rotary is undergoing significant change and adapting in order to not only survive but also to grow in our constantly changing world. With these many changes comes stress for many of us. Unfortunately, some of our members have resorted to unhealthy behaviors that include harassment and/or bullying. In some cases, they refuse to recognize these behaviors for the terrible actions that they are.
Harassment is defined as “aggressive pressure or intimidation. Synonyms include persecution, intimidation, pressure, force, and coercion.”
Bullying is defined as “using superior strength or influence to intimidate (someone), typically to force him or her to do what one wants. Synonyms include persecute, oppress, tyrannize, browbeat, harass, intimidate, strong-arm and dominate.”
If you are a true Rotarian you know there is no place for harassment or bullying in Rotary, or in any place for that matter. We made a promise to Rotary to live according to the “Rotary 4 Way Test – Of all the things we think, say and do:
- Is it the Truth?
- Is it Fair to ALL Concerned?
- Will it build Goodwill and Better Friendships?
- Will it be Beneficial to ALL Concerned?”
When we joined Rotary, we agreed to follow all four of these guiding principles – not one, two or three but all four of them.
For those of you who are acting in this highly negative and counter-productive manner, I ask you to reexamine your actions and work to make the change in your life something positive. Please consider the negative effects you are having on your fellow Rotarians as well as others around you.