By Selamawit Tezera Chaka, Rotary Club of Addis Ababa, Enderasse, Ethiopia
Before my presidential year began, I asked our members a simple question: What can we do better?
The answers shaped our entire year. Members wanted more meaningful engagement, greater flexibility, stronger follow-through, and projects that created lasting impact. From that moment, listening stopped being an exercise and became our leadership strategy.
Throughout the year, we introduced new ways for members to connect and contribute. We launched “የእንደራሴዎቹ” to celebrate our founding members’ stories, created “What I Read About Rotary This Week,” introduced classification talks, and established Member of the Quarter with a transparent scoring system grounded in Rotary’s The Four-Way Test. These initiatives were not about adding activities to our calendar; they were about creating a club where members felt seen, heard, and valued.
We also listened when members asked for greater flexibility. By introducing hybrid general assemblies, virtual meetings with our twin club — the Rotary Club of Jabali in Kenya, and a more varied meeting format, we made it easier for members to stay engaged while balancing their professional and personal commitments. Guest speaker sessions, book reviews, and joint meetings strengthened our culture of learning, fellowship, and collaboration.
If there is one achievement I am especially proud of, it is our investment in youth leadership.
This year, we chartered two Interact clubs in all-girls schools. But the charter ceremonies were only the beginning. We designed a mentorship initiative connecting Interactors with accomplished young women professionals because leadership grows when young people can see what is possible. Sometimes, creating impact starts with opening a door that someone else can walk through.
Not every story had a happy ending.
The Zewditu Meshesha project, which many members identified as our top priority, became our greatest challenge. What began with hope evolved into months of planning, needs assessments, and discussions, only to be slowed by continuous bureaucracy. Eventually, we made the difficult decision to discontinue the partnership. It was disappointing, but it reminded us that leadership is also about knowing when to redirect energy toward opportunities where meaningful impact is possible.
Alongside our projects, we focused on strengthening the club’s visibility. Through consistent storytelling and sharing our activities, our LinkedIn community grew to more than three times its size compared to the previous year. Visibility is not about recognition for its own sake. It helps people discover Rotary, understand our impact, and find opportunities to serve. Another milestone was signing a Twin Club Agreement with the Rotary Club of Jabali after years of friendship and collaboration.
Looking back, I am also proud that we inducted four new members, our highest intake in recent years, while maintaining strong retention. Growth is not simply about numbers. It is about creating an environment where people want to belong, contribute, and lead.
None of this happened because of one person. It was made possible by an incredible board of directors, dedicated members, supportive past presidents, partners, and friends who generously shared their time, ideas, and commitment. I remain especially grateful to Dr. Abel, Dr. Binyam, Dr. Mulugeta, Dr. Lieliena, Beckam, Niud, and our past presidents, Nebiyu, Abiy, and Samrawit, whose encouragement and support strengthened the club throughout the year.
As I conclude my year as president and prepare to serve as strategy, planning, and performance chair for District 9216, I leave with a deeper appreciation of what leadership truly means.
Some goals were achieved.
Some plans changed.
Some partnerships ended.
Yet through it all, our club kept moving forward together.
Leadership is not about perfection. It is about building systems that outlive your term, creating opportunities for others to grow, and leaving people and institutions stronger than you found them.