NOV28 Left the great Institute of Zone 4,5,6A at Bangkok today to go to Manila for our first visit to the Philippines after maybe 15 years. Binota and I have many fond memories of that wonderful country and its fun loving and committed Rotarians. They all love to serve and equally ( perhaps, just a little bit more) to dance.

NOV 27 Today was the last day of the Zone Institute. Vice Pres Tom Thorfinson gave a fine presentation on the Srategic Plan.

A lively question and answer session led to an overwhelming vote by the house to ask the Board to propose legislation at the next COL to prevent co-ordinators of all kinds participating in elections in the zone for Director of RI during their term of office.

Apparently, some of the candidates of the forthcoming elections for Director were unhappy with this possibility. It is not an idea that cuts much ice with me.

Supposedly, the best in the zone , are offerred the position of Co ordinator. If we make them ineligible for the Director position, I guess we would be keeping the best people out while giving the less than the best, a better chance.

Is this fair to all concerned? The next opportunity for those so left out, could well be after 10 years. Would that be good for Rotary?

I believe that a) we must follow the RI Constitution, b) any unfair advantage of their position being taken by such Co ordinators, be separately dealt with by existing rules.

But why punish the best we have by depriving them of further opportunities for advancement?. And isn’t this a way just to get the capable out of the way and eliminate fair competition?

What do you think?