Rotary created lasting personal impact

Rotary’s vision statement is ”Together we see a World where people unite and take action to create lasting change across the globe, in our communities and in ourselves”. Incoming president of Rotary International Yinka Babalola asked in his speech at the International Assebly in Orlando, Florida, last week what personal lasting change Rotary has made. He said that he often asked this question but rarely gets any answers. As members in Rotary, and Rotaract, we can answer what change we contribute to the communitues and across the World but the personal impact …. here we go silent.

I will share two occasions

The first occasion I want to share is when I first became President of my Club, Rotary Trelleborg-S:t Nicolai. This is back in 2018 and different things happened in my life and I left the position as head of business affairs in the City of Trelleborg. In one way I lost a part of my identity but being the President of the Club, with the help and support of our members I got empowered.

The support and warmth of ur members kind of lead me to dare to aspire to be an Assistant Governor, then Governor….. and … well…. the rest is somewhat a history.

Even if I’m a ambitious person the support of the memebers in the Club made me dare to take the next step.

Skipping to today, Rotary is still a part of me growing as a leader.

Facilitating meetings has somewhat been a part of my life. Been the elected chair-person, the president of the board, the Mayor of the City, the President of the City Parliament… well… the list of titles can go on for ever. But being a Learning Facilitator at the Rotary International Asselby 2026 was something new.

To be honest, in the beginning I had a hard time figuring out what to do. How to both be personal and engaging but still following the guide. It was a new way of thinking and working, but when I got the hang of it I realized that I can both follow a guide and be personal. Give my own energy in a session getting to the set objectives.

Really greatful having this oppurtunity to grow as a leader and helping others in their work of being great leaders in Rotary. First of course as Distrit Governors in theis districts in 2026-2027, but also onwards as they support and CREATE LASTING IMPACT in Rotary, in the World, in their Districts, in theie communities and in themselves.