Club Operating Policies for Rotary Year 2025/2026

It is my great honor to have been appointed as the President of the Osaka East Rotary Club for the 2025–2026 Rotary year. My name is Koji Minami (Yoshiharu Minami).

Since joining the Club, I have been warmly welcomed by my senior members, and I have always felt that the atmosphere of this Club suits me perfectly.

Through our regular Club activities, I have learned much about the mission and spirit of Rotary. While I believed I had a general understanding, I am often reminded during conversations with our senior members and in training sessions that there is always more to learn.

When I was offered the opportunity to serve in this important role, I saw it as a chance to give something back. Though I am still inexperienced and have much to learn, I am determined to do my best and be of real service to all of you.

Rather than introducing something entirely new, I believe it is most important that we continue our vibrant Club activities—where fellowship and service are in harmony—and ensure that our current excellent state is passed on to future generations.

It is often said, both within and outside of Rotary, that our Club is known for its tradition and prestige. I believe this reputation comes from the way we actively and harmoniously balance service with fellowship.

Service in Rotary is based on individual action, which comes together to form a collective effort as a team. There is great fulfillment in achieving service goals together with trusted friends. At the same time, I believe the spirit of service is something each individual nurtures personally.

As the 69th President, I deeply appreciate the legacy built over the past 68 years. Our Club's tradition and prestige are the result of the dedication and perseverance of those who came before us. It is now our responsibility to carry that legacy forward.

Therefore, I have chosen this year’s theme to be:

“Carrying Tradition and Prestige into the Future.”

It is important to define what we mean by tradition and prestige in the context of our Club. These are values built through the continuous efforts of each of our predecessors.

Tradition may be shaped over time, but more importantly, it is the image our Club projects to the outside—one that reflects maturity and depth as a Rotary organization.

Prestige, in a Rotary context, means that members observe rules faithfully, engage actively in both service and fellowship, and present a dignified, well-balanced presence to those outside the Club.

Of course, this does not mean simply following past precedent without question. As with our five-year medium-term goals, we should continue to review and discuss our projects every three years. Even if some initiatives may appear risky or may not succeed, I hope to face these challenges together with you all within an acceptable range.

As for specific activities, we will continue to operate based on the existing five-year goals, emphasizing harmony between service and fellowship, and fostering a vibrant Club environment.

This year, we will place particular emphasis on membership development. Centered around the Vocational Service Committee, we aim to enhance orientation and training programs, support further growth among our members, and strengthen our Club's capabilities to ensure the mission of Rotary is carried forward.

To enrich our service efforts, we will also create more opportunities for communication within each committee.

Finally, in addition to our usual Rotary activities, this year promises to be particularly eventful: we will celebrate the 50th anniversary of RAC, welcome new Youth Exchange students, participate in the Osaka/Kansai Expo, support events organized by the Santokai, and prepare for our 70th anniversary project.

I am committed to working with all of you to meet these challenges and to carry forward the proud tradition and prestige of the Osaka East Rotary Club into the future.

I sincerely ask for your continued guidance and support.