Dear friends in Rotary,
In the age of AI, it is a wonderful privilege to write for humans, to speak to humans , and to be read by humans.
This is my first message as RPIC for Zone 21B, and I write it with a heart full of emotion, responsibility and gratitude.
Only ten days have passed since 1 July, yet I already feel as if I have lived through a whole season of decisions, challenges, opportunities, messages, meetings and new beginnings.
Fortunately, I am not walking this path alone. I am supported by a remarkable team of eight dedicated ARPICs and six wise advisers. Very soon, you will meet them properly. For now, let me simply say that this team has chosen a name with both courage and a smile: Better than The Best. It is inspired by the call of Yinka Babalola to do Better Than Our Best — and this is exactly the spirit in which we want to serve. We took this call very seriously and decided to start from there.
My own journey to this responsibility began some years ago, at a moment when I was close to leaving Rotary. Not my club. Not my district. Rotary itself. Then, unexpectedly, came a call from my District Governor. PDG Borislav asked whether I was ready to step in and take over the role of ARPIC, after the person previously appointed had to leave. He simply said: “I think you will manage this responsibility well.
” This was the start of the best time in my Rotarian life. Stoyanka Georgieva - Tanya RPIC 2026-2029 Zone21b, Region 25 Soon after that, I became part of a wonderful regional Public Image team, led by PRPIC Nijad, whose polite, inclusive and deeply respectful leadership opened a new world for me. It became the beginning of one of the most meaningful periods in my Rotary life. Later came the term of PRPIC Altan, and with it one of my most valuable Rotary friendships — a friendship of trust, everyday support, honest conversations and shared service. Altan became not only a Rotary leader beside me, but also a dear friend and, in many ways, a brother walking next to me.
Thank you, Nijad.
Thank you, Altan.
The invitation to take the responsibility of RPIC for 2026–2029 came from PRPIC Altan and Past RI Director Katerina Kotsali. Honestly, I did not expect it. Yet I felt proud. Really proud. 7 Public Image Coordinator Message Proud to continue the great work already done, and proud to serve this region with all its colours, languages, cultures, friendships, sensitivities and opportunities.
What followed was a year of preparation: learning, planning, Zooms, Google Meets, sheets, forms, Evanston and Chicago, conversations, questions, doubts, ideas, AI hints, long discussions with team members, the selection of ARPICs, some very ambitious plans and, finally, one simple conclusion: I must remain myself. Otherwise, I will lose the direction.
Before I introduce our Better than The Best Public Image Team and our plan for the year, I feel that we should pause for a moment and honour the month of July. 1 July is the birthday of every new Rotary year. It is the moment when the Rotary wheel begins another turn, carrying with it new leaders, new teams, new hopes and new responsibilities. In this sense, July is the childhood of the new Rotary year — a month of first steps, first words, first commitments and first signs of the road ahead.
It is also the month when Rotary reminds us of one of the most human and essential areas of focus: Maternal and Child Health. There is deep symbolism in this. The new Rotary year begins with the theme of life itself — with mothers, children, families, health, care and the future.
For us, as Public Image leaders, this is a theme from the Rotary calendar and a reminder of why communication matters. We tell stories so that people can recognise hope, dignity and real change.
Behind every project there is a child who may grow healthier - a future Rotaty leader, perhaps, a mother who may feel safer, a family that may keep its future, a community that may learn to care better for its most vulnerable members.
So, as we begin this year, let us look at July as an invitation. Let us start, continue or complete projects dedicated to maternal and child health. Let us raise awareness. Let us speak about prevention, access to care, education, dignity and healthy beginnings. Let us help our clubs show the human meaning of their work. Dear friends, I believe we shall have a meaningful and beautiful Rotary year. It will not always be easy. Good work rarely is. Yet if we remain human in the age of AI, united in our purpose, respectful in our teamwork and brave in our storytelling, we shall create public image with real impact.
Let this year bring us joy, trust and satisfaction. With friendship, gratitude and affection,
Tanya
RPIC, Zone 21B
2026–2029