District Governor's
Newsletter
May 2006
 |
The District GovernorWrites |
|
Everyone keeps telling me the year is fast coming to an end. Time goes by fast enough without others wishing time to pass. Time is precious. We need to spend it properly and carefully. There is so much to do. There is no quiet time. Thanks to all the Clubs for your hospitality, fellowship and friendship. We have appreciated this and value this greatly. Thanks too for all your hard work in supporting Rotary activities both locally and internationally. Everyone’s commitment to Service above Self is truly tremendous. GSE and FoundationThe Group Study Exchange team came back from India in February. They have seen a great deal of poverty and areas in India where help is needed to obtain some basic facilities we all take for granted such as fresh water and sanitation facilities plus education for all. Would you want to walk 3 miles each way twice a day for water to drink? Where they have schools and the money to buy their primary and secondary education they value it. Do have the team to talk to your Club. We wish the GSE team going to West Virginia our best wishes. By the time you read this they will almost be on their way back. Janet Hammond and the team will see vastly different styles of living compared to India. Membership and New ClubsThere are at least 110 new Rotarians in District 1220 and 50% of the
Clubs are now dual gender. Train them well to stay with us. When
Rotary was formed in 1905 the membership represented the business
community of the areas where they lived and worked. The constituent
members of the business community in 2005/6 now have as many ladies as
men. We must come into the 21st Century. One Club remarked to me the
other week they did not wish to grow larger as they felt it would lose
friendship and fellowship if it grew too large.. It is hard to restart
recruiting if you get out of the habit. If necessary think of forming
another club in your area., but never stop recruiting. There are towns
around the world of 20,000 people with 6 Rotary Clubs. We have towns of
twice that number with only one or two. Rise to the challenge. There is space in the District for several new Clubs, breakfast evening and even weekend. There is one Club in the country meets at 6pm on a Sunday. International ServiceBy the time you read this everyone will know District 1220 have shared winning the Connecticut Trophy for International Service for 2004/5. District 1220 have shared this with D1290 (Cornwall) for our efforts with Aquabox and Shelter Box respectively. Roy Hattersley recently visited Aquabox and followed up his visit with a two column article in the Daily Mail on the 25th April. Rotary and the Rotary Club of Wirksworth had good mention. To everyone who helps support Aquabox, my thanks and please continue to support same. There is a special award to be presented at the Aquabox Tribute Luncheon on the 14th May. Youth ServicesYoung Chef, Young Musician, Young Enterprise, RYLA, Youth Exchange, have all come to fruition these last few weeks. The youngsters have achieved a great deal . Please keep encouraging and supporting them Your sponsorship means a great deal to them. They are our future. Community /VocationalStroke awareness days have taken place. Much publicity was obtained by the Clubs. Hearing dogs awareness and support is great. Many other local activities are well supported and many are local “Hands On” and very important in “Service above Self” PR and the new Marketing Campaign.As soon as I have all the current information from RIBI on CD we will have several meetings to explain what is due to happen. The re-branding is just awaiting final approval from RI but it will not be vastly different from that on the RIBI website. Generally the local PR is very good. Please visit the web site www.politix.com and if you go into voluntary organisations our news is regularly posted on that site. News editors go into this site because this is where they start their political notes each day. Rotaract and InteractRotaract and Interact Clubs are being reformed around the country. I am delighted that Nottingham Rotaract has been reformed but each of our Rotaract Clubs needs continued Rotary support to survive. New Interact Clubs are being formed in local Secondary Schools as Interact fits in well with the Community Service part of the Curriculum these days. Make contact with the tutors for years 9 and 10 at your local Schools. Know your facts and the rewards can be worthwhile. We need these youngsters for the future. Yours in Rotary Friendship
and Fellowship |
|
Newsletter ArchivesDG John Kirkland, Feb 2005
here... |
|