President Chen received the director general of Rotary International Taiwan this afternoon and expressed his affirmation and thanks to the long-term contributions they have made to Taiwan.
Praising the visitors for coming under such harsh weather conditions, President Chen expressed his deep admiration to the Rotary International, who with only four starting associates achieved 1.2 million members in 31,000 clubs in 166 countries. Although a member of the Rotary International himself, President Chen profoundly feels small and modest in the midst of 1.2 million other fellow Rotary members. The common principle of Rotary International is to care for others and serve them, which is also the spirit of international volunteers. And for more than a century, Rotary International members have provided services promoting international mutual understanding and world peace all over the world. Especially significant is this year's motto of "super-ego service" in which the president used to encourage the director-generals of each department in Taiwan's Rotary International to adhere to this spirit in order to improve the volunteer service program each year. Being a leader and a Rotary International member, the president said he would apply the motto to motivate himself as well.
In addition, the president expressed his warm regard for Rotaract obtaining the right to organize the Asia-Pacific Rotaract annual meeting this year. The president also said that he admired the young rotary members' achievements and is pleased the Asia-Pacific annual meeting will be held in Taipei at the end of August. Finally, the president spoke proudly about the Rotary Club sponsored poster-drawing competition, where Wu Wei-tzu, a six-grader of the Chung Li Primary School, won first prize during the club's centennial celebration.
Symbolizing this spirit of service taking root in future generations and the founding principle behind the development of "Taiwan Volunteers", the president stressed that the outstanding achievements in service oriented programs by the Rotary members reflect the efforts of past and present members.
Finally, the president expects the members of the Rotary Club to continue serving like volunteers and benefiting society with their spirit of service, and again expressed his gratitude towards the visitors for coming to the Presidential Office despite the wind and the rain.