When a new president of Rotary International is selected each year, one of  their first assignments is to select the theme for their year.

Each reflects the goals of the president while incorporating the ideals Rotary has been built on. Some are a little more memorable than others, but each serves as a challenge to Rotarians to take a closer look at the world around them and work to improve the world.

A look back at the last 40 years helps to show how those goals — just like Rotarians and the clubs they belong too — have changed over the years.

In 1980-81, for instance, the theme was "Take Time to Serve," which was not just a reminder about one of the purposes of the organization but a demonstration of the importance of working in our communities.
The 1983-84 theme was "Share Rotary, Serve People." Those four words are simple, yet powerful, and help us remember that being a Rotarian means that we should not be content just to show up for a meeting each week and eat lunch — we should be willing to step up to help others.

"You are the Key, was theme in the 1985-86 year; "Rotary Brings Hope" was the theme in 1986-87; "Be A Friend" was the theme in 1994-95; "Create Awareness, Take Action" was the theme in 2000-01; and "Celebrate Rotary" was the theme in 2004-05. That was a special year — it marked the organization's 100th anniversary.

In 2009-10, the theme was "The Future of Rotary is In Your Hands, and in 2015-16 the theme was "Be a Gift to the World."

The 1995-1996  theme of  "Act with Integrity — Serve with Love — Work for Peace" is one of the more interesting ones. The international president that year was Herb Brown, and members of our club had the chance to meet him on April 21, 2006, when he attended our weekly meeting as a guest of longtime Rotarian the Rev. Richard Davis, TOR.

The theme of the 2005-06 year was "Service Above Self," which incorporated one of the organization's mottoes, and the banner from that year —hangs on the wall in my office. That year marked my first term as club president, and that declaration ties in well with this year's theme of "Rotary Opens Opportunities."
The words that make up the theme might change each year, but they always help to remind members of clubs around the world what is expected of Rotarians and help to show the commitment each Rotarian has to make her and his community a better place to live.