Reflecting on my favourite things Rotarian

Rotary is the world. Rotary Club, its younger members Rotaractors and Interactors, is profoundly shaping communities. Through its supported causes, Rotary fosters a culture of "service above self," uniting some of the most dedicated and qualified leaders globally. For me, Rotary embodies the pursuit of peace, humility, and a commitment to helping the world thrive. This resilient culture, adapting to an ever-changing world, tells an inspiring story of sustaining communities, giving fortune to the less fortunate, and building a flourishing planet amid evolving challenges. Rotary gives my life meaning, and I strive to infuse Rotary with even greater purpose.

My Rotary journey began at 17 when I joined a local Rotaract club. Later, as I pursued education in more developed countries, I maintained close ties with Rotary clubs. Eventually, I became a member of the Rotary Club in Sofia, Bulgaria, where I’ve built lasting friendships and worked actively for the past two years to contribute meaningfully. Beyond this, I founded a social global tech hub, aimed to connect people with and connect people that improve outcomes for Earth and beyond—a mission inspired by Rotary’s values.

Each year, Rotary International’s president-elect announces a new theme to guide clubs’ projects, behaviors, and overarching goals. At the annual assembly in Orlando, Florida, President-elect Mário César Martins de Camargo urged members to "Unite for Good" by embracing growth, service, and connection. He emphasized expanding Rotary’s reach and adapting its network of highly qualified volunteers. This year’s theme, "The Magic of Rotary," highlights the transformative power of Rotary’s work in communities worldwide.

How Rotary started?

Rotary began on February 23, 1905, when attorney Paul P. Harris gathered three business acquaintances—Gustave Loehr, Silvester Schiele, and Hiram Shorey—for a meeting in Loehr’s office in the Unity Building on Dearborn Street in downtown Chicago, United States. This marked the birth of the first Rotary Club. Today, with over 35,000 clubs and more than 1.2 million members worldwide, Rotary offers a global network of friendship and service. Wherever you go, you’ll find a friend in Rotary.

Rotary Themes Through the Years

Over time, RI presidents introduced theme logos, lapel pins, ties, and scarves. Many designs feature the year’s theme logo, while others, like those chosen to reflect their home countries’ colors or imagery.

Here are some standout themes that Rotarians have long celebrated. Additionally, a notable project by the Rotary Club Sofia International, District 2482:

- 1955-56: Develop Our Resources

- 1956-57: Keep Rotary Simple

- 1957-58: Enlist-Extend-Explore-Serve

- 1966-67: Better World Through Rotary

- 1969-70: Review and Renew

- 1979-80: Let Service Light the Way

- 1985-86: You Are the Key (the year the End Polio campaign was launched)

- 1986-87: Rotary Brings Hope

- 1987-88: Rotarians – United in Service, Dedicated to Peace

- 1991-92: Look Beyond Yourself

- 1994-95: Be A Friend

- 2020-21: Rotary Opens Opportunities

- 2024-25: The Magic of Rotary

One remarkable project by the Rotary Club Sofia International supported Bulgaria’s national hockey team for people with special needs. The club provided training and resources, culminating in the team’s participation in the 2023 Special Olympics in Germany, where they won a medal. This success has since garnered broader community support, ensuring the hockey team’s continued growth.

Rotary’s Seven Core Causes

Rotary clubs champion thousands of projects under seven core causes: promoting peace, fighting disease, providing clean water, supporting education, growing local economies, saving mothers and children, and—most recently—supporting the environment. Each club selects causes and projects, some so impactful they evolve into long-term commitments. A prime example is the *End Polio* campaign. Launched as PolioPlus in 1985, Rotary became a founding member of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative in 1988. This effort has dramatically reduced polio cases worldwide, showcasing Rotary’s dedication to transformative change.

Other notable initiatives include partnerships between clubs in developed and developing regions. For instance, the Rotary Club of Guatemala has promoted peace among youth by addressing bullying and violence. Similarly, the Rotary Clubs of Peru and Abomey-Calavi, Benin, collaborated to provide clean water and sanitation, benefiting over 30,000 people, including 1,138 children under four. Through education-focused projects—training teachers, supplying materials, and funding higher education via Rotary Global Grants—Rotary inspires young people to pursue their dreams, fostering local development and building skilled, thriving nations.

From its beginnings in Chicago to its current reach of over 1.2 million members, Rotary continues to transform through service, resilience, and connection. For me, it’s a source of purpose—and an invitation to dream bigger for a better world.