Club News
Added on June 23, 2006
A big thank you to President Eric, and welcome to President Diamond!
A 'vote of thanks ... and encouragement' by PP Mike Eldon
 Outgoing President Eric Krystall |
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Another Rotary year has gone by. But it wasn’t an ordinary year. Not only was this the 100th anniversary year of Rotary International, but it was the 75th one in which our club gave service to the community here in Nairobi and indeed beyond.
Twelve months ago we elected Eric Krystall to be our leader. Now it’s no secret that Eric was alive and kicking when the Rotary Club of Nairobi was founded. And these days it’s fashionable (except in certain political circles!) to promote youth as the overriding quality required in a 21st century leader. But when we chose Eric we knew what we were doing. We invited him to take on the heavy responsibility because we saw him as a competent, humble, caring man, the living incarnation of the 4-Way Test. Eric has spent his life as a social entrepreneur, and his year at our helm has given him the opportunity to work with a hundred kindred spirits.
He is the opposite of a dictator. Not for him the much loved Kenyan model of the leader as ‘Big Man’. No, he is a facilitator, who requires no credit or glory, who takes no joy in wielding power for power’s sake. In a word, just the sort of leader made for the world of Rotary, and certainly for the Rotary Club of Nairobi.
We have appreciated his gentle and conscientious ways that have allowed our club to cross its three quarter century mark with dignity, and we wish him a good rest from the end of June. No more e-mail tyranny for him, no more endless phone calls and committee meetings. Welcome to the elder statesperson’s club. Enjoy it; you deserve it.
 Incoming President Diamond Lalji |
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And what about our incoming President, Diamond? What did we see in him when we tapped him for this arduous responsibility? That’s not a difficult question to answer. Diamond is a deeply thoughtful and organised sort of fellow, who works hardest at seeing that everyone is part of the show… and having a good time. His is a rare talent, and we have seen it in action throughout this last year as he was preparing for taking over as President.
There is an air of confidence and competence about the club – even as we rightly keep chewing on the areas we’d like to be stronger. (We had a good go at all of that – as well as at celebrating our strengths – at our recent strategic retreat.) We know we are far from perfect, but we know how much we achieve each year. Of course it’s not all up to the leader. It’s up to each and everyone if us to see that we belong to a club that has a great time doing great things. We certainly did so under Eric, and we’ll definitely do so under Diamond.
So asante Eric; karibu Diamond. We treasure you both.
| Don't forget: Investiture of new board on July 9, 2006 from 12.30pm at Lord Errol Restaurant, Runda|
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