After the words "to love," the best words in the world are-"to serve"

To love is to devote oneself to serving or simply to serve. Love is worth nothing if we are not able to be useful to someone.

Indeed, for us Rotarians, LOVE and SERVICE are the two key words of our organization. They lie at the deep core of mankind's aspiration to give and serve unselfishly.  And so, we Rotarians are guided to the Elite du Coeur. 

The greatness of Rotary lies perhaps, above all, in the way it brings people closer and creates friendship among them. 

Rotary is both a factory with manufactures friendship and a service center which maintains and strengthens existing friendships and extends mutual understanding.

 But Rotary also needs a "think tank",  a maitre a penser, and it needs to generate a constructive, persuasive exchange of ideas.

Let us remember that our role in Rotary is not to transform men.  We do not have virtues enough or sufficient enlightenment to be able to do that.  Our true role is to serve, wherever we may be, and to promote ethical values.  Without such values man is not worthy of respect, and the world is not a worthy place in which to spend ones life.

That is the reason I am a Rotarian.

 Michel O. Alexandre (Pediatrics).  Director, Rotary International, 1968-1970.  Member of the Rotary Club of Rouen, France.