Meeting: Be The Inspiration, Change of Leadership, Happ-E Hour - Special Back To School Edition

President's Message - July 2018
Be Inspired. Be The Inspiration.
​Randy Soriano
President 2018-2019

​Four years ago I had the pleasure of walking into my first Rotary club meeting. At the time the experience was a mixture of excitement and nervousness. Rotary offered so many opportunities to network and be a positive force in our local community. Through the years I've had the pleasure to be mentored by some of the best in our district. People the likes of Past District Governor Clint Schroeder, Assistant Governor Laine Kohama, Assistant Governor Ray Paler, Past President Capsun Poe, and District Governor Win Schoneman. These fine individuals have given me a broader sense of the importance of Rotary. They inspired me to think different - to think BIGGER. Through their guidance I've embarked on a new chapter in my Rotary journey as President of the Rotary E-Club of Hawai'i. 

This Rotary year's theme is Be The Inspiration. For a few months I pondered how I would implement this theme into my year and make it tangible for our members. Then an epiphany happened, I realized I need to be inspired, in order, to be the inspiration. But then the thought came to mind, "what about Rotary inspires me? And, what does that mean for our club?" 

For quite some time I sat on those questions, then a week ago we conducted our Change of Leadership Ceremony and at the ceremony PDG Clint Schroeder said something that stuck in my mind, "everyone joins Rotary for different reasons." This one simple statement inspired me to reflect on our current membership. I asked myself, "why did each of our members join the Rotary E-Club of Hawai'i?" I started jotting down reasons: networking, fellowship, community service, purpose, convenience of being a hybrid E-Club, a fun membership, Happ-E Hour, monthly speakers, and 'ohana - the list went on. I looked over the list and it finally clicked. One word stuck in mind, 'ohana. That was it, the Rotary E-Club has become my 'ohana. That's what inspires me to do what I do in Rotary. 

The people we connect with and the bonds that we create in Rotary, within our club and beyond, is what makes this experience so special. When we do service projects or gather for a social, it is our hope that we connect with others. Over the next year, it is my hope and goal that we build and strengthen our 'ohana and through that we will Be The Inspiration for other clubs and our community.

---

Event Recap:
Change of Leadership Ceremony
June 29, 2018 - 3660 on the Rise

Congratulations to our incoming President Randy Soriano and the entire 2018-2019 Board of Directors on a successful Change of Leadership Ceremony. We’re looking forward to the the year ahead! Mahalo to everyone who joined us in our celebration.

---

Event Recap:
Happ-E Hour - Special Back to School Edition
July 19 - Wisp Restaurant and Lounge

Our E-Club ‘ohana was out in force supporting Parents And Children Together at our first annual Back to School Edition of Happ-E Hour! Our school supply drive was a huge success. Mahalo to our friends from Rotary Means Business-Oahu, Thrive Global and Rotary Club of Diamond Head/Kaimuki for co-sponsoring this amazing event with us! See you all at next month’s mixer!