At the club's Director Induction ceremony our new ADG Tommy Wegge gave a background about himself and his Rotary history.
I’m almost an old friend, seeing you guys already 2nd or 3rd time, depending what accounts as a meeting. I had a nice day with some of you in Thorold, where we had one of the 1st Torch Runs. This was the way to practice to my own Torch Run, which appears to be next weekend. And our RibFest is also at the same weekend, but I suppose, we’ll manage.
I was asked to tell a little of myself and my career as a rotarian. I was asked to join in 2009 and became a member of Rotary Club Helsinki Baltic Sea (then known as…). As a very small club they had their challenges, but as a challenge for me became a dinner meeting, lasting several hours, because it was so funny. We had a daughter, who just had started her school and my wife didn’t like that Tuesday evening taking that long time. So I change the Club to a Lunch Club and meetings ended always as they should, 1.00PM.
I got involved quite early, because they asked me to join Youth Exchange, which I started in my 1st and 2nd club, also continuing to the District level. That lasted so far I became an AG in D1420. After 1 ½ years commitment to AG-post, I was asked to become a DG, which I also did.
After that I was the Chairman of the Board in Rotary Service of Finland and also had to work for a while as Secretary General, because previous SG deceased. So, I have done pretty much all you could do in Rotary in Finland.
That is the reason, why my wife told me NOT TO do Rotary that actively in Canada. And here I am…
About the Rotary
For me Rotary has given a lot. I tell you what.
- Friends
- Network
- Learning
- Skills
- Leadership
- International connections
Friends, to whom I could trust.
Network, of which I could find the reliable connections I need and appreciate in business.
Learning, because Rotary’s leadership trainings teach you to reach higher and do things better.
Skills, which were waiting to be activated and got activated because of Rotary.
Leadership, to confront all the challenges and find out solutions for them. Leading a voluntary Organization is like “pushing someone forward with a string”. No ordering…
International connections, because Rotary is an International Organization and participating to our programs, you find trusted friends all around the Globe.
Tommy Wegge