Introduction of PID Robert Rettby – Candidate for the Office of International 3rd Vice President

Robert’s Short Biography
C. Robert Rettby was born in Stockholm, Sweden, and moved to Switzerland with his family at the age of six. He completed his education there, graduating as a civil engineer from EPFL. Robert and his wife, Catherine, have two sons and four grandchildren. Professionally, Robert initially worked in the construction industry before taking over the family business and later founding a company in the field of water treatment.

Since joining the Lions Club Neuchâtel in 1993, Robert has been an active and dedicated member. He has held numerous roles, from club leadership to international positions. With over 30 years of involvement, he has taken on various board positions and has been a key organizer of club anniversaries and local events.

As an International Director (2013–2015) and in other leadership roles, Robert has played a significant role in global initiatives, including “Campaign 100” and the Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF).

Beyond Lions, Robert is deeply engaged in his community. His hobbies, such as mountain biking, skiing, and hiking, reflect his strong connection to nature. His career and service record exemplify the balance between professional success and a lifelong commitment to the common good.

Dear Robert, you have had a remarkable journey with Lions. What has been your most unforgettable experience in your club?
My entire 30-plus years as a Lion have been filled with wonderful memories. Being inducted as a member, appointed to a committee just three months later, my year as club president, organizing the National Convention in Neuchâtel, and celebrating the club’s 60th anniversary – all of these experiences have been unforgettable.

Can you share more about those experiences?
Organizing the National Convention in Neuchâtel during the year of Expo 02 was an extraordinary experience. It was led by LC Neuchâtel but involved collaboration with all clubs in the canton. Not only was it a financial and operational success, but it also forged lasting friendships among Lions.

With the same dedication, we organized our club’s 60th anniversary celebration, another great success. Both events generated over 100,000 Swiss francs in profits, which were used for meaningful service projects—supporting guide dogs in one case and acquiring a catamaran for youth with disabilities in another.

After joining your club, you quickly became Secretary. A decade later, you were elected Vice District Governor and served as District Governor in 2006/2007. What stands out from your year as DG?
My early integration into my club’s activities is something I often share with Lions worldwide: Don’t let new members stay inactive. Give them opportunities to roll up their sleeves and contribute. That’s why they joined—don’t disappoint them.

With this experience in mind, I carried this message as I visited the 95 clubs of District 102W. Years before, as a webmaster under Governor François-Didier Hermès, I had already started visiting clubs to promote the importance of an online presence. It was an exciting challenge at a time when hardly anyone understood what I was talking about.

When people ask me which Lions role impacted me the most, my answer is clear: my year as Governor. It was a great joy to meet fellow Lions, witness their projects, and experience their commitment and friendships in all their diversity.

Two years later (2008/2009), you served as Council Chairperson for MD 102. What were the challenges you faced, and how do you recall the National Convention in Solothurn?
I was expected to continue immediately after my term as DG, but after such an intense year, I asked for a break to catch my breath. So, we arranged a rotation with District 102C, and my friend PCC Freddy Bachmann took over a year earlier than planned.

Each role I held was different, but all were highly fulfilling. They came with unique goals, challenges, and successes. There were fewer club visits, but the work became more demanding. At the same time, these roles offered broader international exposure, which aligned with my personal motto—perhaps a bit grand in Latin but intentionally left untranslated: “Lions in mundum” (Lions in the world).

From 2013 to 2015, you represented Europe and MD 102 as an International Director. That must have been full of exciting moments. As Chairperson of the Membership Committee, you helped shape our organization’s development. What were the highlights of those two years?
Looking back, my motto was a sign of what was to come—though at the time, I never imagined there would be more beyond my term as Council Chairperson. Despite my international mindset—both personally and professionally—discovering the vast diversity of Lionism in over 200 countries was truly eye-opening.

Serving on the Board alongside colleagues from all over the world, with different cultures and languages, was a profound experience. And despite—or perhaps because of—this diversity, what stands out most is our shared values, friendships, and commitment. It’s incredible to see what we can achieve together.

After your tenure as International Director, you took on several other roles at Lions International. Which was the most diverse, and which did you find most exciting for LCI?
My work in membership growth, later in the Service Activities Committee, and my involvement in training naturally led me to take on roles within the Global Action Team (GAT). This marked a new chapter in my Lions journey—one that presented new challenges.

Having served as an administrator, I now found myself working on the ground. I often joked that I was “in the trenches” with the members, as achieving our ambitious goals sometimes required a real battle.

You have also been active in LCIF (our international foundation) and remain committed to it. What does this foundation mean to you personally?
This was the last piece of the puzzle I wanted to complete. Our two structures—LCI and LCIF—are inseparable and complement each other perfectly. LCIF serves our clubs and districts by enabling us to undertake large-scale projects through grants. It’s a powerful demonstration of our global solidarity.

And your final thoughts?
Passion and pride are the driving forces that allow us to grow and meet the ever-increasing needs of our communities—both locally and globally. This is my hope for all Lions and Leos.