President Percy C. HODGSON was the first to propose a guideline under the title “the objectives of our team for the year 1949/1950”.

Percy and his immediate successors published these goals as a list of several recommendations.

From 1955, with one or two exceptions, presidential themes had to be limited to a short and punchy slogan.

All the Presidents of Rotary International then published a short specific theme intended to stimulate and renew the activity of the Clubs.

Whatever the linguistic origin of the President, this slogan is formulated in AngloAmerican.

Its translation into other languages, and in particular French, is sometimes difficult and strives to preserve the general meaning that its author wanted to give it, often deviating from the literal translation.

For example, the theme of the year 1978/1979 from the Australian Clem RENOUF: “Reach out” was translated in French as “Go towards others”. The upcoming 2026-27 theme under Olayinka H. Babalola will be “Create lasting impact”.