District Governor's
Newsletter
November 2010
 DG Val LeiversThis is an interpretation for the web of Val's original
newsletter. |
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I have visited 53 of the 58 clubs in the District and have been very interested and pleased at the vitality and enthusiasm in the clubs. Charters are now in full flow and it is good to see high numbers at most despite the rising cost. If we cannot celebrate our clubs birthday what can we do? I am concerned that several clubs have not submitted their signed copy of the District Health and Safety to Rtn Denis Power-Neads Rotary Club of Newark. This is essential especially with the festive season almost here and Rotarians will be meeting the public at many events. Also a Risk Assessment is compulsory for all events so please do not be the first club to find that you are not covered by RIBI Insurance because you have not done the paperwork. We have had a great deal of media coverage this month for Rotary. I was invited to review the Sunday papers on BBC Radio Nottingham and BBC Radio 4 have made a programme about the changing face of Rotary from Sherwood Sunrisers Hospital Garden project. The programme will go on air in January and RIBI President Jim Moulson together with other RIBI officers came for the hastily arranged event. The RIBI President will also be spending a few days in our District at the end of January. I spent a very cold night, -2C, in the company of members of Rotary, Rotaract, Inner wheel and other groups sleeping in the open to highlight the plight of the homeless. It was courageous of PDGs Rami Seth and Lionel Howard to join us for this ordeal. They could not have put any more layers on and they both looked like Michelin men! It was well worth the effort and the predicted amount raised for Framework should exceed £30,000. We did it just for one night; imagine sleeping out every night especially in the current very cold weather. It is very noticeable that wherever I go I come across members of our Rotaract clubs who are working very hard with Rotary clubs in the District. They organised a superb Indian Evening which raised £900 for the housing project and children in India. Their membership is increasing and they are a very lively, vibrant group of young people who are Rotarians of the future. No doubt members are getting the sleighs ready and dusting down the Santa suits reading for the annual tin rattling (quietly!). I have been invited to a number of Carol Concerts and Christmas lights switch on events which will get me in the mood for the Festive Season. This is the busiest time of the year for most clubs and I wish you well with your activities. Please keep me informed of any club events from February onwards when I have more free time in my diary and I would very much like to come along to support you if at all possible. Val Urgent appeal on behalf of the Friary Drop-in Centre30th November 2010 To all Rotarians and Inner Wheel members, They do a fantastic job with the homeless and also those who have been re-housed but have very few essential possessions. The number of men and women that they are helping is rising dramatically and Rotary does support them with appeals for items from time to time. As the cold weather is now upon us the need has become desperate and I have asked Inner Wheel District 22 to join with Rotary to help Ann Bremner and her colleagues by giving unwanted items to this very good hands on cause. President Elaine Harrison is fully supportive of this initiative and is contacting her members. The men and women who use the centre come from all backgrounds, are of all ages and find themselves in this position for many different reasons. I shall be grateful if you will ask your clubs to join with us for this hands-on project and I am confident that the Inner Wheel members will show their usual determination and compassion to help others as they did when Base 51 needed help. The items need not be new but in wearable / useable
condition.
Household items:
Personal items:
There is also an ongoing need for food either tinned, dried or fresh. In the last 2 months alone they have provided 1,209 meals and given out 869 food parcels. Finally, the Friary would like to resurrect their furniture project to help those who are re-housed but have nothing. They are looking for storage premises in the Nottingham area and a reasonable large van with a tail lift. If any of your members have contacts in this direction or can offer help or advice it would be very much appreciated. I am sending the same message to the Rotary clubs and I am sure that with the might of Inner Wheel and Rotary we can make a difference to these people. Please send responses to Rotarian Ed Thompson either
by email ed.thompson2@virgin.net or on 0115 9375813. Regards Val |
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Newsletter ArchivessDG Val Leivers, Oct
2010 |
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This
has been Foundation month and I am delighted to report that over 90
members attended the Foundation Seminar. All of the Ambassadorial
Scholars gave a short talk on their first impressions of England.
Sometimes I think it is good to listen to how other countries perceive
us and we always learn something new. They have all settled well and I
cannot believe that their first reports have already been submitted to
RI. How quickly the year is going!