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親愛的扶輪社員們： Dear fellow Rotarians, 將近一年前，我在社長文告寫到，作為扶輪社員，「我們不能滿足於因循故舊，不論是在我們的扶輪社或在我們的社區。」我們是問「為什麼不是我們？」的人。 Nearly a year ago, I wrote on this page that, as Rotarians, "we are not content to let matters stay the way they have always been, in our clubs or in our communities. We are the ones who ask, Why not us?" 去年，我有幸得以見到數以千計對自己這麼問，並勇於接受這項挑戰的扶輪社員。我看過許多計畫，它們創造力及企圖心令我震驚，也看過透過難以置信的思考、規劃、及真知灼見，達成豐碩成果的計畫。我看到許多扶輪社克服各種障礙來處理他們的社區所面對的真正問題。而且我看到扶輪社員們以熱忱、優雅、以及源自當地知識的技巧來達成這一切──通常是在我們扶輪基金會的支持之下。 In the last year, I have been privileged to meet thousands of Rotarians who have asked themselves that very question and risen to its challenge. I have seen projects that have astounded me with their creativity and their ambition, and projects that came to fruition through an incredible degree of thought, planning, and insight. I have seen clubs overcome all sorts of barriers to deal with the true problems facing their communities. And I have seen all of this done with warmth, grace, and the skill born of local knowledge – and, often, with the support of our Rotary Foundation. 我看過的計畫每個都有獨到之處，讓我留下印象深刻。可是，最讓我留下深刻印象的計畫是那些致力於解決先前沒有任何人能滿足的需求，無論是由於缺少資源、欠缺能力、或只是缺少瞭解。有時問題很明顯而且是眾所週知，例如診所的設備落伍或水源被污染。有時候問題從未被公開提到，例如由於就讀的學校沒有洗手間，女孩子們每個月必須面對窘境。我今年所看到的是，無論是需要濾水器、血庫、人體免疫缺損病毒的治療、廁所、或識字，扶輪社員們正在找尋解決方法──並且去執行它。 Every project I have seen has impressed me in its own way. The projects that have impressed me the most, however, have been those addressing a need that no one has been able to meet before, whether because of a lack of resources, a lack of ability, or simply a lack of awareness. Sometimes the problem was obvious and acknowledged, such as an ill-equipped clinic or a polluted water source. Sometimes the problem was never openly mentioned, such as the dilemma faced every month by girls attending schools without bathrooms. What I have seen this year is that whether the need is for water filters, blood banks, HIV treatment, toilet stalls, or literacy, Rotarians are finding what needs to be done – and doing it. 在我心目中最突出的是那些正在滿足真正需求，而且靜悄悄地改變生活的計畫。我將永遠記得：有一個扶輪社的計畫提供簡單、然而很好用、低成本的義手給被截肢者，使他們恢復工作能力，能自給自足；在台灣新竹由扶輪社所贊助的圖書館讓更多的孩子能接觸書本；住在一所非洲醫院的肺結核病房的孩子們正在扶輪社贊助的教室讀書；以及扶輪社為自閉兒童所興建的學校，因為在那個區域並沒有這種學校。 The projects that stand out in my mind the most are those that are meeting real needs and quietly changing lives. I will always remember the Rotary club project that’s bringing simple, yet effective, low-cost prosthetic hands to amputees, returning to them employability and self-sufficiency; the Rotary club supported library in Hsinchu, Taiwan, that gives so many more children access to books; the Rotary club-sponsored classroom that’s educating children living in the tuberculosis ward of an African hospital; and the Rotary club-built school for autistic children, for whom there had been no services in the area. 這些只是能真正發揮影響的計畫之中的少數幾例。不是我們大言不慚或誇大其詞：這些計畫藉由提供教育、更佳的身體健康、創造更美好未來的真正機會，實際上已經改變了人們的生命歷程。有些例子，扶輪社員們投入龐大的時間、精力、及金錢。有些例子，只需要一個知識豐富且有愛心的人的介入、瞭解情況、然後去做必須做的事。 These are just a few of the projects that have truly made a difference. There is no need for exaggeration or hyperbole here: These projects have very literally moved the courses of lives by giving people education, improved health, and a real chance at a better future. In some cases, Rotarians invested tremendous resources of time, energy, and their own funds. In others, all that was needed was a knowledgeable and caring person to step in, look around, and do what needed to be done. 看到全世界的扶輪社員們決定如何帶頭前進，實在是個人今年的一大樂事。我期盼在未來許多年繼續與你們一起致力於此一重要任務。蘿娜和我感謝各位給予許多幫助。今年改變了我們的生命。 It has been a great joy this year to see how Rotarians all over the world are choosing to Lead the Way. I look forward to continuing with you in this great task for many more years to come. Lorna and I thank you for your many kindnesses to us. This year has changed our lives.
W.B. (Bill) Boyd 白義德 國際扶輪2006-07年度社長 President, Rotary International, 2006-07
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