Presidential Address

Presidential Welcome: Rotary Year 2026–2027

Incoming President Thomas Narbeshuber shares his welcoming address to the club, outlining the four fundamental pillars, new leadership roles, and a vision for inclusive growth.

Dear fellow Rotarians,

A very warm welcome to the start of our new Rotary year! First of all, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the trust you have placed in me by electing me as President of our club. It is both an honour and a responsibility that I accept with great humility. I am fortunate to be surrounded by an outstanding team of dedicated Rotarians, and I am convinced that together we can make this a remarkable year.

The Four Core Pillars of Rotary

For me, Rotary rests on four fundamental pillars that should guide everything we do throughout the coming year:

  • Service Above Self: Our primary call to action, keeping community needs at the heart of our work.
  • Ethical Leadership: Living and leading by example, using integrity and transparency as our compass.
  • Friendship, Fellowship and Community: Cultivating a warm, welcoming space where lasting bonds are forged.
  • International Understanding and Peace: Strengthening global ties and developing impactful international partnerships.

"To leave the world a little better than we found it."

Rotary is about Action

Rotary is not merely an organization we belong to—it is something we live. We are People of Action. We are not a debating society. We do not simply discuss ideas; we turn them into meaningful action that improves lives and strengthens communities. None of us receives payment for the time and energy we invest. Our reward comes from seeing lives improved, communities strengthened, and friendships created through service.

To keep this spirit alive, I need all hands-on-deck. Every member has something valuable to contribute, whether through professional expertise, practical skills, experience, creativity or simply a willingness to help. Every contribution matters.

A Collaborative and Inclusive Leadership Board

I am delighted that so many members have committed themselves to active roles within our club for the 2026–27 year. Together, we form a collaborative board and facilitator network:

  • Henning Sorknaes — Treasurer & primary contact for the Montenegro school project.
  • Kristóf Kovács — Club Service Projects Chair (founder of the Invisible School initiative).
  • Perez Kokoti — Secretary (leading exciting perspectives for future projects).
  • Ben Hanga — Club Public Image Chair.
  • Tamás Réti — Cultural Chair.
  • László Miskei — Cultural Committee.
  • Carmen Karady — Club Learning Facilitator.
  • Zoltán Nádasdy — Club Legal Chair.
  • Tatjana Krivska — Club Ghost Writer.
  • Alessandro Farina — Club AI Chair.
  • Adadeji Charles Adayemo — Club Fundraising Chair.

This list is by no means complete. Every member is warmly invited to contribute to the life, growth and success of our club.

Friendship, Fellowship and Community

Rotary brings together people from different professions, cultures and backgrounds who share a desire to serve. I want our club to be a place where members genuinely look forward to meeting each other—not only because of the projects we pursue, but because of the friendships we build. To achieve this, we will regularly invite inspiring guest speakers to our monthly meetings, organise cultural events, and expand close relationships within the community of international Rotary clubs in Budapest.

Handover Ceremony Photo
Handover Ceremony Photo

Looking Ahead to the Schedule

To keep our activities structured and predictable, we meet regularly twice a month:

  • First Tuesday of each month (19:00 CEST): Facilitator and Board Meeting.
  • Second Tuesday of each month (19:00 CEST): Regular Club Meeting.

Small actions, multiplied by committed people, create extraordinary impact. That has been Rotary's story for more than 120 years. Now it becomes our story. Let us make this a year of service, friendship, ethical leadership, and growth.

Warm regards,

Thomas Narbeshuber
President, Rotary Club Budapest City

Presidential Welcome: Rotary Year 2026–2027