The phone rang at five ‘o clock on a sun-kissed May afternoon in Ratzeburg when Holger Knaack was tending the tidy garden of his home in this postcard-pretty town. On the other end was Mike McGovern who delivered the news that changed Knaack and his wife Susanne’s life forever. Holger, a former baker, had been elected President of Rotary International for 2020-2021.
“It took some moments before I was able to answer Mike. I was speechless and breathless. It was so unexpected. I was not prepared for that call,” Holger said.
Holger has been a member of Rotary for 27 years, belonging to Herzogtum Lauenburg-Mölln Rotary. He was previously a partner and general manager of Knaack Enterprises, a 125-year-old family business, and now runs the real-estate company, Knaack KG. He has been married to wife Susanne for 43 years, and though the couple have no children, they have been heavily involved with the Rotary Youth Exchange programme, receiving 43 students at their home in that time.
There is little doubt that becoming Rotary President is a life-changing moment for Holger and Susanne. He is both a proud German and a European, and suddenly pencilled-in plans, including a few Rotary trips, have been scuppered.
Holger has a few months yet to think of a theme and a logo for his Presidential year. He’s got a few of ideas but is keeping these under wraps for now. But already, two clear themes are emerging. One is a desire to pursue the agenda begun by current RI President Barry Rassin to create more Rotaract clubs to broaden the diversity of Rotary’s membership. The other is to encourage more young people, and women, to join the organisation to take up leadership roles.
During Holger’s presidency, six women will serve on the Board of Directors. “The Rotary Board has set us a high goal to increase the number of women in Rotary and in leadership positions to 30 percent by June 2023. But if we want to achieve something, then we must set ourselves high goals.”
He added: “I am honoured to have the confidence and support of Rotary’s 1.2 million members. As President, I plan to highlight the best Rotary has to offer where people of all backgrounds can see themselves reflected in our service and impact.”
“I am excited, of course, to be Rotary President. Without my wife Susanne, nothing would work, and you could not do this job. But we are both looking forward to the moment, and we are full of energy for the task ahead.”
Read the full story in the July 2019 issue of the Philippine Rotary magazine.
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