How the GML Became My Rotary Legacy

“Gautam, I know you’re here in this hall. Can you please stand up?” District Governor 2024-25 Rajendra Man Sherchan’s voice boomed with warmth and pride during the installation of District Governor 2025-26 Binod Koirala at Hotel Grande, Pokhara. My heart raced as I stood, a mix of nervousness and gratitude washing over me under the spotlight of applause.

The final issue of Rotary Governor’s Monthly Letter (GML) in June 2025, a hefty 72 pages, was a labor of love tinged with bittersweet emotion. I poured my soul into it, crafting a touching retrospective of the Governor’s year and a sincere thank-you note to the district. When it was released, my inbox overflowed with gratitude, and my WhatsApp buzzed with messages from Rotarians I’d never met, mentioning the “energy” I’d brought to the publication. Each kind word felt like a warm embrace, both humbling and overwhelming.

At the installation ceremony, when Governor Sherchan singled me out for praise, my nerves flushed with shy pride. The applause roared, and my nerves danced, but deep down, I felt an immense sense of fulfillment. None of this would have been possible without his visionary leadership. His unwavering trust fueled my creativity and inspired innovation, making my GML journey unforgettable.

Looking back, editing the GML was more than a job—it was a front-row seat to Rotary’s spirit. It taught me resilience, creativity, and the power of storytelling to unite a community. I stepped down proud of the legacy I’d left: a newsletter that didn’t merely inform but inspired. Though I’ve passed the torch, I’ll always carry the experience—and the late-night coffee stains—as a badge of honor.

This journey was a vibrant blend of creativity, responsibility, and a deep connection to the Rotary community. It was more than writing—it was about amplifying the District Governor’s voice, spotlighting the inspiring achievements of Rotarians and Rotary Clubs, and igniting passion in every reader.

The GML was the heartbeat of our district’s communication—a dynamic monthly newsletter that reached the district website, mobile apps, mailboxes, and social media. My mission was to craft a publication that didn’t merely inform but inspired and rallied our community around the DG’s bold vision. Each 40-page issue was a vibrant masterpiece, brimming with the DG’s message, compelling club highlights, insightful leader perspectives, and captivating feature stories.

Before starting, I reached out to the presidents and secretaries of each club, emphasizing the importance of showcasing their activities in GML. I shared a news template to streamline submissions, fostering collaboration and deepening ties between the clubs and the GML team.

Beyond club activities and news, the publication covered major district events, including polio initiatives, the district conference, and awards ceremonies. It also featured global grant projects, articles on club leaders, and interviews with prominent figures such as RI Vice President Hans-Herman Kasten and RI Director Aniroud Roychowdhury. Additionally, it provided in-depth coverage of flood relief efforts.

The first issue, launched across the district website and mobile apps, highlighted the DG and club president installations, including an interview with RI Vice President. Feedback was mixed—many applauded the bold new design, while others hesitated—but it set an inclusive tone for my tenure. A brief challenge arose when users faced PDF download issues due to file size, but we resolved it quickly by optimizing the document.

In previous years, gathering content was a challenge, but during my tenure, it became seamless thanks to strong connections with every club president and secretary.

On the first day of each month, the GML team gathered for a brainstorming session to craft the monthly blueprint.

Editing was where I shone most brightly. I trimmed rambling submissions into concise, punchy blurbs, preserving the writer’s voice while ensuring clarity. Once, a Rotarian joked, “You’re my word surgeon,” after I condensed a 1,500-word piece into 900 without losing its soul.

Deadlines were relentless. I finalized each issue by the 27th, juggling my day job with late-night edits. Yet the grind paid off when members exclaimed, ‘Wow—my article made it into this issue!’ Month after month, we delivered the GML on time, without fail.

Not every moment was smooth. Some clubs accused me of favoritism when their event received only a brief mention while another club’s story filled a page.

The role stretched me. Most importantly, I deepened my Rotary roots. Editing the GML gave me a window into every corner of our district—from a small club’s food distribution to a million-dollar global grant. Through it, I felt the pulse of “Service Above Self.”