what does create lasting impact mean?

Personal transformation and community engagement

The phrase "Create Lasting Impact" is a guiding principle for Rotary International members, emphasizing the importance of personal transformation and community engagement. It encourages members to focus not only on the outcomes of their projects but also on the enduring impact they have on their communities and the world. This approach aims to foster a sense of belonging and inclusivity within the organization, ensuring that all members feel valued and contribute meaningfully to their clubs and districts.

Rotary International president-elect emphasizes effective action and ‘embracing the world with open arms’

Rotary International President-elect Olayinka H. Babalola called on members to Create Lasting Impact by making their clubs more welcoming, carrying out impactful projects, and allowing their Rotary experiences to transform them personally.

“Rotary has changed us. It has shaped who we are and made us better people,” Babalola said at Rotary’s International Assembly in Orlando, Florida, USA, on 12 January. “We often talk about changing the world. We talk about ending polio, about building peace. We do not think enough about how Rotary transforms us.”

President-Elect Olayinka Babalola's RY 2026-27 Presidential Message

Babalola, a member of the Rotary Club of Trans Amadi, Nigeria, described how joining a Rotaract club as a teenager enlarged his perspective beyond the limited, privileged outlook he’d once had. That change in awareness came from observing the lasting impact his club had in the community, particularly from teaching people to read and write.

“As members of Rotary, we share a vision of a better future,” he said. “To make this vision a reality, we must acknowledge and unleash the change within ourselves. We must focus not only on outcomes, but on impact.”

Change and impact are not the same, he added: “Change is only the beginning. Impact is what endures.”

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