District Governor's
Newsletter
March 2011
 DG Val LeiversThis is an interpretation for the web of Val's original
newsletter. |
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On this day, at this very moment, there are people in our world who will be lonely, distressed, fearful and in need. Can we, who are relaxed and among friends, renew our promise to help those less fortunate, whoever or wherever they are in their time if need help change their lives for the better? This is a quote from President Eric Beach of the Rotary Club of Dronfield and it is very relevant at present. It seems likely that Japan will suffer the largest loss of life but the devastation from the flooding in Pakistan, the earthquake in Haiti, the floods and fires in Australia and the earthquake in New Zealand will have repercussions for years to come. I would never have believed that all of this could happen in my first 8 months as District Governor. Personally I felt numb looking at the television scenes showing the unbelievable situation in Japan. There is no doubt that many Rotarians have lost their lives in the last few months in horrific circumstances. Initially in disasters Shelterboxes, Aquaboxes and Water Survival boxes help to give short term relief but our major work begins when the aid agencies and the rescue teams have gone home. The Rotary Foundation has set up a new fund the Japan and Pacific Islands Disaster Recovery Fund and I have sent details to all clubs. The Foundation is asking us to work with clubs in ALL of the affected countries by way of Matching Grants to provide sanitation, clean water and resolve health issues and I know that the clubs in District 1220 will rise to the occasion as they always do. I have now completed the official District Governor visits to all 58 clubs and thank everyone for making me so welcome. A few were delayed due to bad weather during the winter. At the time of writing I have attended seventeen Charter celebrations in the last seven weeks. All have been most enjoyable and varied and it will be strange going back to having meals at home in the evenings! Congratulations go to those who organised the Young Chef competition with 17 clubs taking part. The standard of cooking was extremely high and as good as any top restaurant. Terry enjoyed being a judge, tasting every dish then not wanting to eat for the rest of the day! The Group Study Exchange team returned after a very successful time in Chennai and they gave an excellent, amusing yet informative presentation at Link Evening which was a sold out event. Please contact James Pinder, Mansfield, to invite members of the team to speak to your club. Colin Slater excelled as usual when interviewing Ambassadorial Scholars past and present. I am so pleased to let you know that we have two new Interact clubs in the District. One is at John Port School in Etwall and the other is at Woodlands School in Derby. My thanks go to those dedicated Rotarians who have given time freely to enable these clubs to be formed. The Long Eaton School Interact club have recently filled a number of Aquaboxes and are now doing a sponsored swim for water projects. Nottingham Rotaract club have also been to Aquabox helping out and this lively young group appear all over the District. The District is in good heart as we move into the lighter evenings and hopefully warmer weather. At long last the purple crocuses are blooming all over the District! Please keep looking at my daily blog at: dgval.blogspot.com Val |
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Newsletter Archives
DG Val Leivers, Jan 2011 |
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