The Mother of all Rotary Clubs in Cagayan de Oro can look forward to the current Rotary Year with faith and inspiration it will be a truly outstanding Rotary Year.
During its 79th Turnover and Induction Ceremonies held July 25 at the plush Limketkai Luxe Hotel, President Noel A. Dajao stressed his vision for the RI Theme for 2026-2027: CREATE LASTING IMPACT.
Having previously served the board as Service Project Director, Club Secretary for two terms, and Vice President, Pres. Noel takes pride from the 78-year history of RC CDO whose leaders left indelible marks across business, government, community development, and military service, as evidenced by their names literally etched in the city’s street signs.
With a theme adopted from the movie “Top Gun”, he envisions RC CDO to “fly high, fulfill our mission with precision, and hit every single target we set for ourselves.”
“My vision for this year is to blend the wisdom of our club’s pillars with dynamic, forward-looking action, guided by four core priorities: Deepening Engagement & Belonging; Strategic Growth; Empowering Every Member; and Honoring and Engaging Our Rotary Spouses.”
“I want a club where every single member feels a profound connection to our work. No one should ever feel left out. Let us build a culture where individual contributions are genuinely valued and where creative ideas are always welcomed. I challenge every member of RCCDO to reserve the first and third Thursdays of every month dedicated specifically to Rotary meetings and meaningful fellowship. Let’s make our gatherings vibrant, valuable, and something we all look forward to.”
“To build an even stronger organization, we must push our membership past the 100-member mark. This is a milestone that Past District Governor Tinnex Jaraula constantly reminds us of—and he is absolutely right. We must actively recruit passionate leaders who share our heart for service so we can amplify our impact across the region.”
In his keynote speech, Past District Governor Tinnex Jaraula cited how despite Cagayan de Oro’s population growing four-fold since his time as President when there were 120 members, there is now only some sixty members.
“And there has not been an additional club in the city,” he added.
He likewise echoed Pres. Noel’s exhortation to “build a culture where individual contributions are genuinely valued and where creative ideas are always welcomed.”
“Is it because there is a waning interest in the ideals of Rotary, Is it because Rotarians are getting tired of community service? Or is it because there is a need to implant again the spirit, purpose, and philosophy of Rotary both in the heart and the mind. That to me is the challenge tonight.”
“Every Rotarian in this room brings unique gifts to the table—not just for the communities we serve outside, but for each other within our Rotary family. My goal is to leverage those strengths so everyone has a platform to lead and contribute,” Pres. Noel stressed.
Not the least, he cited how “our spouses are truly the backbone of our club. Their initiative succeeded where we fell short, reminding us that our spouses are not just supportive partners, but visionary leaders in service.
“This year, we will actively engage, consult, and celebrate our Rotary Spouses as true Co-pilots in our mission.”
Another pillar of the envisioned program for the year is the proposed Clubhouse for RC CDO in the 500 square meter property PDG Tinnex Jaraula has generously pledged to donate as a lasting legacy for future generations of RCCDO Rotarians.
Pres Noel envisions the proposed Clubhouse as a centralized space to streamline the club’s operations and administrative work; a permanent home to safely house the club’s rich 78-year history, showcase its awards, and build a museum of Rotary memorabilia; and as a functional facility for board meetings, committee planning, and spontaneous fellowship.
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