As my year as president of RC Utrecht International (2024–2025) has come to a close, I find myself in that curious state of mind: proud, reflective, mentally exhausted, and wondering how on earth it all went by so quickly. One moment you are accepting the chain of office with a smile and all the hope in the world, and the next you are handing it over again while wondering ‘what happened to all the plans I had at the start of the year?’

While there is a manual for how to be a club president, I somehow never did find time to read it all the way through (sorry, Natália!) – but thankfully, I didn’t need to. RCUI is powered by a club full of people who quietly (and sometimes not-so-quietly), efficiently, and with remarkable good humour transform ludicrously ambitious ideas into actual results. My main job, it turns out, was simply not getting in their way.

A Lustrum to Remember

One highlight of the year was celebrating our 4th Lustrum (or 20th birthday, for the non-Dutch). A milestone always deserves its own moment, and we made sure it got one. Preparing for the Lustrum, blessedly organised by past president Elisabeth and her team, felt a bit like planning a family reunion with a particularly international and opinionated branch of cousins: everyone had suggestions, everyone had memories to share, and everyone, fortunately, showed up with enthusiasm and the willingness to help.

Another source of joy was the attendance of our friends and partners at RC Meinerzhagen in Germany. Rotary is famous for its international connections, but it’s quite something to experience it for real, and with so much warmth in the person of our new friends from the Sauerland. What made our Lustrum special was not just the celebration itself, but the reminder of what RCUI has become: a club rooted in diversity, friendship, and a stubborn willingness to try things that are slightly too ambitious for our size – because with our Lustrum and the associated 20th birthday came the idea to run our largest fundraiser to date.

Empower Her: A Concert, a Cause, a Club in Full Force

If the presidency came with a single defining moment – a bright major chord in a familiar melody – then it was undoubtedly our fundraising concert Empower Her.

Now, I would love to take credit for this masterpiece of planning, coordination, artistry, and logistical wizardry. But the truth is that the concert succeeded because the entire club threw itself into it with passion, creativity, and a level of collective energy that still amazes me. Many thanks go out to Jeff and Karen, who had the vision and know-how of how to organise a truly remarkable afternoon.

The idea was bold: a high-profile music event to support women’s empowerment initiatives in Burkina Faso. The execution was even bolder: finding artists (twice), the Britten Youth Orchestra; securing a venue; navigating budgets (thank you again, Natália); creating a campaign (Mayara, Alp: we could not have done it without you!); selling tickets; and remembering where we put the club banners. Somehow, in unusual violation of the laws of physics and committee scheduling, everything came together beautifully.

The result? A beautiful, powerful afternoon at the Johannes Centrum that raised awareness and over twenty thousand euros. The audience left inspired; the performers left appreciated; and we left relieved that nobody had misplaced the banners. Most importantly, the event directly contributes to real change for women and girls – something far bigger than any club, president, or year.

I could not be prouder of what we accomplished together. If “together” seems like a word I repeat often, that is intentional: Empower Her was a club triumph, not a presidential one. My main contribution was smiling proudly at the right moments, not mixing up the programme when announcing the artists, and only occasionally asking naïve questions like “Do we need a back-up plan?”

Looking Forward by Looking Back

A presidency, I discovered, is less about leading and more about listening, encouraging, and occasionally gentle herding. It’s about trusting your club and being rewarded daily for doing so. As I look back, I mostly see other people’s efforts: the ideas pitched, meetings chaired, connections made, spreadsheets filled, and small but critical tasks done without fanfare.

Looking back into the future, I see a club that has only grown stronger. The successes of last year are not endpoints but stepping stones. The next projects will be different, new presidents, Lucia and Gökhan, will bring fresh energy, and the club will continue to grow in ways that will surprise and delight.

To my fellow club members: Thank You! Every achievement was ours, not mine. Every memory is shared. And every future success will be built on the same team spirit that carried us through the year.

Here’s to RCUI – looking back, looking forward, and always looking outward.

By the (now blissfully relaxed) Past President of RC Utrecht International