As we move through the month of February, we are reminded that this month holds a special place on the Rotary calendar as Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention Month. Amid the challenges and adversities faced by people around the globe, our commitment to fostering peace and understanding has never been more critical. Every day, stories remind us of the indispensable role peace, and the pursuit of peace, plays in the fabric of our societies, and how, as Rotarians, we are uniquely positioned to cultivate this peace within our communities and beyond. Rotary's long-standing mission to advance peace echoes through every project we undertake, from local initiatives that bring communities together, to our broader efforts in conflict resolution and support for The Rotary Foundation’s peacebuilding programs. Whether by fostering dialogue in our communities, supporting global grants focused on education, or supporting and nominating individuals to the Rotary Peace Centers, each action we take plants a seed for a more peaceful world.
It is hard to believe that we have only five months left in the Rotary year. A theme I have touched on in most of my club talks is urgency. If you are a Rotary leader in our clubs or district, time is ticking to accomplish your year goals … and if you are an incoming club or district leader you should be using this time to ensure all your plans are in place for the next amazing year of Rotary service. Use your time wisely.
It has been a whirlwind start to the year already. Christina and I completed the final set of in-person club visits with the Bahamas clubs in January, visiting the clubs of New Providence, Eleuthera and Abaco. We were so touched by the generosity of the Rotarians we met, and inspired by the service projects we learned about in our tours. From the communities of Gambier to Fox Hill and everywhere in between Rotarians are making a difference. Our sides still hurt from the laughter in the Eleuthera club meeting, and our hearts are heavy from witnessing the pain that so many in Abaco are still in. We could not have asked for better hosts than the Bahamas AG’s, Valentino Hamilton and Deidre Bain-Toote. Thanks for all you did to facilitate the visit. The visit ended on the day an RLI was starting, a huge boost in the education and engagement of Rotarians. Thank you to RLI Chair, PP Monica Ramgeet, and her trainers from Nassau and the Sunshine Division of RLI for their tireless work.
Travel continues in February with attendance at the upcoming Million Dollar Dinner benefitting The Rotary Foundation, to be held in Nassau, Bahamas, followed by DGE Dominiques District Team Training weekend in Miami, FL. You can follow my travels and look back on travels to your respective countries and territories on my Instagram story … @davidkirkaldy.7020.
Whilst I cannot visit the Rotary clubs of Haiti in person, I have been hosting a series of Virtual Visits facilitated by the AG’s of Haiti. These have been so inspirational. I always describe our Haitian Rotarians as ‘glass half full Rotarians’. Their positivity and hard work shines through in the face of unimaginable challenges. In every community they are making a difference and Creating Hope where so many feel that all hope is lost. Thank you to the AG’s of Haiti for your hard work and for facilitating these important meetings and providing translation services so that my presentation can be fully understood and so that I could fully grasp the challenges being faced and work being done by your clubs. I look forward to meeting in person at the Inter-Club Assembly in Pignon in March.
I hope all who pre-registered for a discount for the Create Hope 2024 PETS Assembly and Conference (to be held in Grand Cayman April 28 through May 3) have taken up the offer by now. Additionally, incoming club President and Secretary elects should be registered by now for PETS which has always been a mandatory item on the Rotary calendar. Hotel stock is booking fast so I encourage all planning to attend the conference to book now to ensure your participation in this cornerstone event. The Create Hope 2024 PETS Assembly and Conference are not merely events, but a gathering of like-minded individuals united by a single cause – to create lasting change. It’s an invaluable opportunity for learning, sharing, and setting a vision for the impactful work we wish to achieve in the coming Rotary year under the leadership of DGE Dominique Bazin.
Of note, Rotarians in Jamaica who are flying directly to Cayman on a Jamaican passport, and any Rotarian from Haiti travelling on a Haitian passport (regardless of where they travel from) MUST OBTAIN A VISA WAIVER. I cannot stress enough the urgency here. We are required by the Cayman government to submit visa waiver requests by the end of February to allow time for processing of the waiver. After this time we cannot assist and I know there will be many disappointed Rotarians, most of all, the Rotarians of Cayman who cannot wait to welcome you. Please sign up today, and book your accommodation. Do not delay on this.
Thank you for your unwavering commitment to the focus this month on peace, your enthusiastic participation in our district events of all levels, and most importantly, for the service you render in your communities. What you do really does Create Hope in the World.
Yours in Rotary Service,
David Kirkaldy District Governor Rotary International District 7020
Alors que nous avançons dans le mois de février, nous sommes rappelés que ce mois occupe une place spéciale dans le calendrier du Rotary comme le Mois de la consolidation de la paix et de la prévention des conflits. Face aux défis et adversités rencontrés par les gens autour du globe, notre engagement à favoriser la paix et la compréhension n'a jamais été aussi critique. Chaque jour, des histoires nous rappellent le rôle indispensable de la paix et de la quête de paix dans le tissu de nos sociétés, et comment, en tant que Rotariens, nous sommes uniques positionnés pour cultiver cette paix au sein de nos communautés et au-delà. La mission de longue date du Rotary de promouvoir la paix résonne à travers chaque projet que nous entreprenons, depuis les initiatives locales qui rassemblent les communautés, jusqu'à nos efforts plus larges dans la résolution de conflits et le soutien aux programmes de consolidation de la paix de la Fondation Rotary. Que ce soit en favorisant le dialogue dans nos communautés, en soutenant des subventions mondiales axées sur l'éducation, ou en soutenant et en nommant des individus aux Centres de paix du Rotary, chaque action que nous entreprenons plante une graine pour un monde plus paisible.
Il est difficile de croire qu'il ne nous reste que cinq mois dans l'année rotarienne. Un thème sur lequel j'ai touché dans la plupart de mes discours de club est l'urgence. Si vous êtes un leader du Rotary dans nos clubs ou district, le temps presse pour accomplir vos objectifs annuels… et si vous êtes un futur leader de club ou district, vous devriez utiliser ce temps pour vous assurer que tous vos plans sont en place pour la prochaine année extraordinaire de service rotarien. Utilisez votre temps judicieusement.
L'année a déjà commencé en trombe. Christina et moi avons complété le dernier ensemble de visites de clubs en personne avec les clubs des Bahamas en janvier, visitant les clubs de New Providence, Eleuthera et Abaco. Nous avons été si touchés par la générosité des Rotariens que nous avons rencontrés, et inspirés par les projets de service que nous avons découverts lors de nos visites. Des communautés de Gambier à Fox Hill et partout ailleurs, les Rotariens font la différence. Nos côtés nous font encore mal de rire lors de la réunion du club d'Eleuthera, et nos cœurs sont lourds en voyant la douleur que tant de personnes à Abaco ressentent encore. Nous n'aurions pas pu demander de meilleurs hôtes que les AG des Bahamas, Valentino Hamilton et Deidre Bain-Toote. Merci pour tout ce que vous avez fait pour faciliter la visite. La visite s'est terminée le jour où un RLI commençait, un énorme coup de pouce à l'éducation et à l'engagement des Rotariens. Merci à la présidente du RLI, PP Monica Ramgeet, et à ses formateurs de Nassau et de la Division Sunshine du RLI pour leur travail acharné.
Les voyages continuent en février avec la participation au prochain Dîner du Million de Dollars bénéficiant à la Fondation Rotary, qui se tiendra à Nassau, Bahamas, suivi du weekend de formation de l'équipe du district de DGE Dominique à Miami, FL. Vous pouvez suivre mes voyages et revenir sur les voyages dans vos pays et territoires respectifs sur mon histoire Instagram… @davidkirkaldy.7020.
Bien que je ne puisse pas visiter les clubs Rotary d'Haïti en personne, j'ai animé une série de Visites Virtuelles facilitées par les AG d'Haïti. Celles-ci ont été tellement inspirantes. Je décris toujours nos Rotariens haïtiens comme des 'Rotariens au verre à moitié plein'. Leur positivité et leur travail acharné ressortent face à des défis inimaginables. Dans chaque communauté, ils font une différence et Créent de l'Espoir là où tant de gens sentent que tout espoir est perdu. Merci aux AG d'Haïti pour votre travail acharné et pour avoir facilité ces réunions importantes et fourni des services de traduction afin que ma présentation puisse être pleinement comprise et que je puisse pleinement saisir les défis auxquels vos clubs sont confrontés et le travail accompli. J'ai hâte de vous rencontrer en personne à l'Assemblée Inter-Clubs à Pignon en mars.
J'espère que tous ceux qui se sont préinscrits pour un rabais pour l'Assemblée et la Conférence PETS Create Hope 2024 (qui se tiendra à Grand Cayman du 28 avril au 3 mai) ont maintenant profité de l'offre. De plus, les présidents et secrétaires élus des clubs entrants devraient être inscrits maintenant pour PETS, qui a toujours été un élément obligatoire du calendrier Rotary. Les stocks d'hôtels se réservent rapidement, donc je encourage tous ceux qui prévoient d'assister à la conférence à réserver maintenant pour assurer votre participation à cet événement clé. L'Assemblée et la Conférence PETS Create Hope 2024 ne sont pas de simples événements, mais un rassemblement d'individus partageant les mêmes idées, unis par une cause unique - créer un changement durable. C'est une opportunité inestimable pour l'apprentissage, le partage et la définition d'une vision pour le travail impactant que nous souhaitons réaliser lors de la prochaine année rotarienne sous la direction de DGE Dominique Bazin.
À noter, les Rotariens de Jamaïque qui volent directement vers Cayman avec un passeport jamaïcain, et tout Rotarien d'Haïti voyageant avec un passeport haïtien (peu importe d'où ils voyagent) DOIVENT OBTENIR UNE DISPENSE DE VISA. Je ne saurais trop insister sur l'urgence ici. Nous sommes tenus par le gouvernement des Îles Caïmans de soumettre les demandes de dispense de visa d'ici la fin de février pour permettre le traitement de la dispense. Après ce temps, nous ne pouvons pas aider et je sais qu'il y aura de nombreux Rotariens déçus, surtout les Rotariens des Îles Caïmans qui ont hâte de vous accueillir. Veuillez vous inscrire dès aujourd'hui et réserver votre hébergement. Ne tardez pas sur ce point.
Merci pour votre engagement indéfectible sur l'accent mis ce mois-ci sur la paix, votre participation enthousiaste à nos événements de district de tous niveaux, et plus important encore, pour le service que vous rendez dans vos communautés. Ce que vous faites crée vraiment de l'Espoir dans le Monde.
Le vôtre en service Rotary,
David Kirkaldy Gouverneur de District Rotary International District 7020
Once again I find myself apologising for the delay in sending this communication out. The month of November and the first weeks of December were probably the most busy in terms of travel and to say I am behind in my correspondence would be an understatement.
Christina and I started November in the British Virgin Islands where AG Rosemarie Flax organised a full schedule of club, project and civic leadership visits. The visit culminated with the annual BVI Foundation Gala and Fundraiser, with HE the Governor of the BVI in attendance. The evening was most enjoyable and raised a significant amount of money for The Rotary Foundation. Rotary is strong in the BVI.
Just a few days later we travelled to St Martin where AG Elisia Lake worked hard to programme each day with club visits and tours of projects and impactful service opportunities. We will forever remember the singing of the Earlyact Club at the St Joseph Primary School, the Inter-Club Interact meeting and the 6 am wake up call to come make over 150 pancakes for the student breakfast programme at the Oranje School. In French St Martin, it was a pleasure to meet with PDG Victor Gibbs whose conference was the very first outside of Cayman that I attended as a Rotarian in 2005. We also travelled to St. Barthelemy and were able to attend a board meeting and later a club meeting with the only Rotary Club there. I was honoured to plant a tree in downtown Gustavia and look forward to visiting again in the future to check on it. Thank you President Nils for your hospitality. Finally, we visited with the Rotarians in Anguilla and had the opportunity to learn more about the work they do in the community and to attend their club meeting, as well as amazing school visits. This is such a diverse collection of countries and clubs and I really appreciate the work that AG Elisia does there.
Our final visit in November was to the 12th Annual Foundation Awards Gala in the Bahamas. Over 200 guests, including Rotarians and community leaders were in attendance, including PRIP Barry Rassin and his wife Esther, I was honoured to be the keynote speaker on The Rotary Foundation and the importance of giving, before honouring many Paul Harris Award recipients and most significantly, presenting the Peter Christie Heart of Rotary Award to Augustine “Gus” Roberts. PRIP Barry noted, "What you do enables us to change lives around the world," and for me this resonated deeply, reminding us of the power of our collective action.
In December we completed the last two visits to Rotary Clubs in Jamaica, completing the visits for the first half of the Rotary year with wonderful tours of central Jamaica where PDG Patrick Adizua hosted a delightful evening celebration, and we had the opportunity to work on service projects from Spanish Town to Portmore. Thank you to AG Paul Patmore and AG Allison Peart for all they did to plan the visits during this busy time of the year.
In January official visits will continue with time in the Bahamas and I am working with the AG’s in Haiti to organise virtual visits to their clubs, whilst also anticipating being able to visit for their annual Inter-Club Assembly in Pignon in March.
Turning to the month of December, we know this is a pivotal month for Disease Prevention and Treatment, and this calls for our heightened awareness, particularly regarding the surge of Dengue fever in our district. I urge everyone to heed the guidance of Dr. Trish Harris, our dedicated District Pandemic and Wellness Chair and ensure you avoid contact with mosquitos and protect yourselves with a DEET formula repellant.
I continue to encourage clubs to ensure that their elections are completed and the information on the President, Secretary, and Treasurer-elect, as well as board members, is input into ClubRunner so that correspondence related to the next Rotary year goes to the appropriate Rotarian.
It was my pleasure to learn recently from our District Nominating Committee that they had selected PAG Lindsey Cancino, of the Rotary Club of East Nassau, to the role of D7020 District Governor for the Rotary year 2026 through 2027. With the stipulated challenge period now complete, PAG Lindsey is confirmed as our District Governor Nominee (Designate) and I extend my congratulations to him. Our District should be justifiably proud of the DG line we have ahead of us through to 2027. I take this opportunity to thank the other nominees and their clubs for putting their names forward and for participating in the selection process.
Finally, with this being the last communication I will send to the membership of D7020 before the New Year, Christina and I offer our warmest wishes for a Merry Christmas and a safe and joyful time of service and celebration into the New Year. We have been blessed to get to know on a more personal level so many Rotarians in our incredible District 7020 over the past six months and we know you will be working hard to help Create Hope in your various communities for those in need in this season of giving, and also enjoying precious time with your families. For those Rotarians or Rotary clubs that have lost loved ones, Rotarians and close friends this past year I know that this festive time can be especially difficult. Please know that you are in our thoughts and your Rotary family is there for you with caring fellowship.
Thank you, as always, for your dedication to “Service above Self.” Together, we continue to make a significant difference, creating hope and changing lives. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a very Happy New Year.
Une fois de plus, je me trouve dans l'obligation de m'excuser pour le retard dans l'envoi de cette communication. Le mois de novembre et les premières semaines de décembre ont probablement été les plus chargés en termes de voyages et dire que je suis en retard dans ma correspondance serait un euphémisme.
Christina et moi avons débuté le mois de novembre dans les Îles Vierges britanniques où AG Rosemarie Flax a organisé un programme complet de visites de clubs, de projets et de rencontres avec les dirigeants civiques. La visite s'est conclue avec le gala annuel de la Fondation BVI et une levée de fonds, en présence de son Excellence le Gouverneur des BVI. La soirée a été très agréable et a permis de collecter une somme significative pour la Fondation Rotary. Le Rotary est fort dans les BVI.
Quelques jours plus tard, nous nous sommes rendus à Saint-Martin où AG Elisia Lake a travaillé d'arrache-pied pour organiser chaque jour des visites de clubs, des visites de projets et des opportunités de service impactantes. Nous nous souviendrons toujours des chants du Club Earlyact à l'école primaire Saint-Joseph, de la rencontre Inter-Club Interact et du réveil à 6 heures du matin pour préparer plus de 150 crêpes pour le programme de petit-déjeuner des élèves de l'école Oranje. À Saint-Martin côté français, ce fut un plaisir de rencontrer PDG Victor Gibbs dont la conférence était la toute première que j'ai assistée en dehors des Îles Caïmans en tant que Rotarien en 2005. Nous nous sommes également rendus à Saint-Barthélemy et avons pu assister à une réunion du conseil d'administration et plus tard à une réunion de club avec l'unique Rotary Club présent. J'ai eu l'honneur de planter un arbre dans le centre-ville de Gustavia et j'ai hâte de le revoir lors d'une future visite. Merci au Président Nils pour son hospitalité. Enfin, nous avons rencontré les Rotariens d'Anguilla et avons eu l'opportunité d'en apprendre davantage sur leur travail dans la communauté et d'assister à leur réunion de club, ainsi qu'à d'incroyables visites d'écoles. C'est une collection de pays et de clubs si diversifiée et j'apprécie vraiment le travail accompli par AG Elisia là-bas.
Notre dernière visite en novembre a été au 12ème Gala Annuel des Prix de la Fondation aux Bahamas. Plus de 200 invités, y compris des Rotariens et des leaders de la communauté, étaient présents, y compris PRIP Barry Rassin et sa femme Esther. J'ai eu l'honneur d'être le conférencier principal sur la Fondation Rotary et l'importance du don, avant d'honorer de nombreux récipiendaires du Prix Paul Harris et, plus significativement, de présenter le Prix Cœur du Rotary Peter Christie à Augustine “Gus” Roberts. PRIP Barry a souligné, "Ce que vous faites nous permet de changer des vies dans le monde entier", et pour moi cela a résonné profondément, nous rappelant la puissance de notre action collective.
En décembre, nous avons achevé les deux dernières visites aux Clubs Rotary de Jamaïque, complétant les visites pour la première moitié de l'année rotarienne avec de merveilleux tours de la Jamaïque centrale où PDG Patrick Adizua a organisé une charmante soirée de célébration, et nous avons eu l'opportunité de travailler sur des projets de service de Spanish Town à Portmore. Merci à AG Paul Patmore et AG Allison Peart pour tout ce qu'ils ont fait pour planifier ces visites pendant cette période chargée de l'année.
En janvier, les visites officielles continueront avec un séjour aux Bahamas et je travaille avec les AG en Haïti pour organiser des visites virtuelles à leurs clubs, tout en anticipant pouvoir visiter pour leur Assemblée Inter-Club annuelle à Pignon en mars.
Concernant le mois de décembre, nous savons qu'il s'agit d'un mois crucial pour la Prévention et le Traitement des Maladies, et cela appelle à une prise de conscience accrue, en particulier concernant la recrudescence de la dengue dans notre district. J'exhorte tout le monde à suivre les conseils du Dr. Trish Harris, notre Présidente dédiée du District Pandémie et Bien-être, et à vous assurer d'éviter le contact avec les moustiques et de vous protéger avec un répulsif à formule DEET.
Je continue d'encourager les clubs à s'assurer que leurs élections sont terminées et que les informations sur le Président, le Secrétaire et le Trésorier élus, ainsi que les membres du conseil, soient saisies dans ClubRunner afin que la correspondance liée à la prochaine année rotarienne soit envoyée au Rotarien approprié.
J'ai eu le plaisir d'apprendre récemment de notre Comité de Nomination du District qu'ils avaient sélectionné PAG Lindsey Cancino, du Rotary Club d'East Nassau, pour le rôle de Gouverneur de District D7020 pour l'année rotarienne 2026 à 2027. Avec la période de défi stipulée désormais terminée, PAG Lindsey est confirmé en tant que Gouverneur de District Nominee (Designate) et je lui adresse mes félicitations. Notre District devrait être justement fier de la ligne de DG que nous avons devant nous jusqu'en 2027. Je profite de cette occasion pour remercier les autres candidats et leurs clubs pour avoir proposé leur nom et pour avoir participé au processus de sélection.
Enfin, puisque c'est la dernière communication que j'enverrai aux membres du D7020 avant la Nouvelle Année, Christina et moi offrons nos vœux les plus chaleureux pour un Joyeux Noël et un temps de service et de célébration sûr et joyeux pour la Nouvelle Année. Nous avons eu la chance de connaître à un niveau plus personnel tant de Rotariens dans notre incroyable District 7020 au cours des six derniers mois et nous savons que vous travaillerez dur pour aider à Créer de l'Espoir dans vos diverses communautés pour ceux qui en ont besoin en cette saison de don, et aussi en profitant de moments précieux avec vos familles. Pour ces Rotariens ou clubs Rotary qui ont perdu des êtres chers, des Rotariens et des amis proches cette année passée, je sais que cette période festive peut être particulièrement difficile. Sachez que vous êtes dans nos pensées et que votre famille Rotary est là pour vous avec une amitié attentionnée.
Merci, comme toujours, pour votre dévouement au "Service avant soi." Ensemble, nous continuons à faire une différence significative, créant de l'espoir et changeant des vies. Joyeux Noël, Bonnes Fêtes, et une très Bonne Année Nouvelle.
David Kirkaldy District 7020 du Rotary Gouverneur de District 2023/2024
As we move into November I recall the words of the headmaster at our kid's school … the days are long but the years are short. We are now in a pivotal month for the Rotary world and our clubs. Club elections have been completed or will be done soon, and we celebrate a month dedicated to promoting awareness of, and donations to, The Rotary Foundation … our foundation.
The Rotary Foundation is the cornerstone of our service efforts. It empowers us to create lasting change in communities worldwide. I encourage each club to kickstart Foundation Annual Fund Giving by sharing inspiring stories of Foundation-funded projects in your community or our district. These stories remind us of the incredible impact we can achieve collectively. I’d love for all our D7020 to participate in some way, regardless of the contribution size. Your donations play a pivotal role in advancing our mission to do good in the world.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t take a moment to acknowledge and honour those who have generously supported the Foundation. Thank you to all of our D7020 Major Donors, Bequest Society Members, Benefactors, Paul Harris and Polio Plus Society members, and Paul Harris Fellows. You ‘Create Hope in the World’ and I extend my personal thanks to you. Your unwavering commitment embodies the true spirit of Rotary.
Turning to youth, November 5 was the anniversary of Interact, the Rotary programme aimed specifically at young people of high school age. Interact clubs help, through the guidance of the sponsoring Rotary Club and their school liaison, to nurture the next generation of leaders. Whilst the main thrust of World Interact Week was the first week of November, don’t be bound by those dates and get involved with your Interact Clubs or work this month with a school to implement a new or restart an old club.
While no longer a programme of Rotary International and instead fully fledged Rotarians in their own right, Rotaractors are also an important youth or ‘younger person’ aspect of the Rotary experience. As Christina and I have travelled we have had the chance to join with Rotaractors in meetings or in socials. We really enjoy these opportunities as our District 7020 Rotaractors have engaging meetings and vibrant social activities. I encourage Rotarians to attend a Rotaract meeting if there is a club in your area. Your mentorship can have a profound impact on young Rotaractors who really ought to be called young Rotarians.
As noted earlier in this letter, clubs should already have formed Nominating Committees and conducted elections to select the 2024-25 Club president and the 2023-24 Secretary, Treasurer, and Board positions. Please ensure that these names are updated in Club and District ClubRunner so that relevant communications can be sent throughout the Rotary year. This would be a great time to also register for the Create Hope 2024 District 7020 PETS which is mandatory for president and secretary elects.
In October, Christina and I continued our official DG Visits, concluding 19 days in Jamaica to visit to the first group of 19 clubs. We are deeply grateful for the warm hospitality extended by the clubs and AG’s Steven, Peta-Gay, Croatia, Elaine and Allison. We also concluded our visits to the clubs in the Cayman Islands, including my own home club, the Rotary Club of Grand Cayman. This past week we were in the British Virgin Islands and had a busy week of fellowship and working meetings learning of their successes. Rotary is strong in the BVI and we are so appreciative of the efforts to plan our visit by the Rotarians and AG Rosemarie Flax. This past month of experiences really reinforced in my mind the great honour and privilege it is to lead our incredible district this Rotary year.
Prior to the trip to the BVI we attended the Zone 33/34 Bahamas Summit. Over 300 Rotarians were in attendance from approximately 30 districts, and District 7020 was well represented by four Emerging Leaders in attendance as well as our Governor line; DGE Dominique (and Albert) and DGN Bill (and Ella). Our own RI Director Jeremy Hurst was the Convenor of the Summit, and of course, Past RI President Barry Rassin was there in his role as the Chair of the Trustees of The Rotary Foundation. The Summit was a great opportunity to learn and to be inspired by others, including RI President Gordon Macinally.
As you can appreciate from the above, the month of October and the first week of November have been hectic for Christina and me, unfortunately leading to this publication coming out late despite my best intentions. I extend my apologies for that (and to the newsletter team who patiently waited for me). In November we continue our travels to St Martin / St Maarten / St Barths and Anguilla, with a stop in the Bahamas for their Foundation Gala on the way home. We look forward to this next series of club visits and to getting to know in greater detail the work of the clubs there, and to fellowshipping with the Rotarians and Rotaractors who do such great work in those countries and territories.
Thank you for all you do for Rotary and for what you are doing to help Create Hope in the World, starting right here in District 7020.
David Kirkaldy Rotary District 7020 District Governor 2023/2024
===========================
Chers Rotariens du District 7020,
Alors que nous entrons dans le mois de novembre, je me rappelle les paroles du directeur de l'école de nos enfants... les journées sont longues, mais les années sont courtes. Nous sommes maintenant dans un mois crucial pour le monde Rotary et nos clubs. Les élections des clubs ont été achevées ou le seront bientôt, et nous célébrons un mois dédié à la sensibilisation et aux dons en faveur de la Fondation Rotary... notre fondation.
La Fondation Rotary est la pierre angulaire de nos efforts de service. Elle nous permet de créer un changement durable dans les communautés du monde entier. J'encourage chaque club à lancer la collecte de fonds annuelle de la Fondation en partageant des histoires inspirantes de projets financés par la Fondation dans votre communauté ou notre district. Ces histoires nous rappellent l'incroyable impact que nous pouvons réaliser collectivement. J'aimerais que tous les membres de notre District 7020 participent d'une manière ou d'une autre, quelle que soit la taille de leur contribution. Vos dons jouent un rôle crucial dans la réalisation de notre mission de faire le bien dans le monde.
Je serais négligent si je ne prenais pas un moment pour reconnaître et honorer ceux qui ont généreusement soutenu la Fondation. Merci à tous nos Grands Donateurs du District 7020, membres de la Société des Legs, Bénéficiaires, membres Paul Harris et de la Société Polio Plus, et Paul Harris Fellows. Vous "Créez de l'Espoir dans le Monde" et je vous adresse mes remerciements personnels. Votre engagement indéfectible incarne la véritable essence du Rotary.
En ce qui concerne la jeunesse, le 5 novembre marquait l'anniversaire d'Interact, le programme Rotary spécifiquement destiné aux jeunes de l'âge du lycée. Les clubs Interact, grâce à l'encadrement du Rotary Club parrain et de leur correspondant à l'école, contribuent à l'épanouissement de la prochaine génération de leaders. Bien que la principale poussée de la Semaine mondiale d'Interact ait eu lieu au cours de la première semaine de novembre, ne vous limitez pas à ces dates et impliquez-vous auprès de vos clubs Interact ou travaillez ce mois-ci avec une école pour mettre en place un nouveau club ou relancer un ancien.
Bien que ne faisant plus partie du programme de Rotary International et étant désormais des Rotariens à part entière, les Rotaractiens constituent également un aspect important de l'expérience Rotary liée à la jeunesse ou aux "jeunes". Christina et moi avons eu l'occasion de rencontrer des Rotaractiens lors de nos déplacements. Nous apprécions vraiment ces occasions, car nos Rotaractiens du District 7020 ont des réunions animées et des activités sociales dynamiques. J'encourage les Rotariens à assister à une réunion Rotaract s'il y a un club dans votre région. Votre mentorat peut avoir un impact profond sur les jeunes Rotaractiens qui devraient vraiment être appelés de jeunes Rotariens.
Comme mentionné plus tôt dans cette lettre, les clubs devraient déjà avoir constitué des comités de nomination et mené des élections pour choisir le président du club 2024-25 et les postes de secrétaire, trésorier et administrateurs 2023-24. Assurez-vous que ces noms sont mis à jour dans ClubRunner du Club et du District afin que les communications pertinentes puissent être envoyées tout au long de l'année Rotary. C'est également le moment idéal pour s'inscrire au PETS du District 7020 "Créer de l'Espoir 2024", qui est obligatoire pour les présidents élus et les secrétaires élus.
En octobre, Christina et moi avons poursuivi nos visites officielles en tant que DG, concluant 19 jours en Jamaïque pour visiter le premier groupe de 19 clubs. Nous sommes profondément reconnaissants pour l'accueil chaleureux offert par les clubs et les AG Steven, Peta-Gay, Croatia, Elaine et Allison. Nous avons également conclu nos visites dans les clubs des îles Caïmans, y compris mon propre club d'origine, le Rotary Club de Grand Caïman. La semaine dernière, nous étions aux îles Vierges britanniques et avons passé une semaine chargée de fraternité et de réunions de travail pour en apprendre davantage sur leurs succès. Le Rotary est fort aux îles Vierges britanniques et nous sommes très reconnaissants des efforts déployés pour planifier notre visite par les Rotariens et l'AG Rosemarie Flax. Ce dernier mois d'expériences renforce vraiment dans mon esprit l'honneur et le privilège extraordinaires de diriger notre district incroyable cette année Rotary.
Avant le voyage aux îles Vierges britanniques, nous avons assisté au Sommet des Bahamas de la Zone 33/34. Plus de 300 Rotariens étaient présents, représentant environ 30 districts, et le District 7020 était bien représenté par quatre Leaders Émergents ainsi que notre ligne des gouverneurs : DGE Dominique (et Albert) et DGN Bill (et Ella). Notre propre directeur du Rotary International, Jeremy Hurst, était le Convenor du Sommet, et bien sûr, l'ancien président du Rotary International, Barry Rassin, était présent dans son rôle de président du conseil d'administration de la Fondation Rotary. Le Sommet a été une excellente occasion d'apprendre et de s'inspirer des autres, notamment du président du Rotary International, Gordon Macinally.
Comme vous pouvez l'apprécier à partir des éléments ci-dessus, le mois d'octobre et la première semaine de novembre ont été bien remplis pour Christina et moi, ce qui a malheureusement entraîné un retard dans la publication malgré mes meilleures intentions. Je présente mes excuses pour cela (et à l'équipe de la newsletter qui attend patiemment). En novembre, nous poursuivons nos voyages à Saint-Martin / Saint-Maarten / Saint-Barthélemy et à Anguilla, avec un arrêt aux Bahamas pour leur Gala de la Fondation sur le chemin du retour. Nous sommes impatients de poursuivre cette prochaine série de visites de clubs et de mieux connaître le travail des clubs là-bas, et de fraterniser avec les Rotariens et les Rotaractiens qui accomplissent un travail exceptionnel dans ces pays et territoires.
Je vous remercie pour tout ce que vous faites pour le Rotary et pour ce que vous faites pour aider à Créer de l'Espoir dans le Monde, en commençant ici, dans le District 7020.
David Kirkaldy District 7020 du Rotary Gouverneur de District 2023/2024
As we welcome the month of October it is a good reminder to us all that time marches on. Can you believe that the first quarter of our Rotary year is already complete? This is an opportunity to reflect on the concept of urgency in all we do as our time is fleeting and one-quarter of our "Create Hope in the World" year is already. behind us.
October is dedicated to Community and Economic Development, one of Rotary's seven areas of focus. This focus lies at the heart of poverty alleviation and encourages Rotarians to create opportunities for sustainable economic growth and social progress. It's a cornerstone of Rotary's commitment to building a better world. Unemployment, underemployment, lack of economic opportunity, and the absence of social safety nets are among the core challenges facing communities globally, as well as within our own District 7020. For many, labour represents the only asset available to improve well-being. Creating productive employment opportunities is essential for reducing poverty and achieving sustainable economic and social development. It provides income security and empowerment, especially for women, people with disabilities, youth, and the extremely poor. Clubs in our district have a variety of programmes that they employ that seek to make a material change in the lives of the most vulnerable in their communities and I look forward to learning of your successes in this focus area as the month progresses.
World Polio Day: Celebrate World Polio Day this coming October 24 at your club meeting that same week or with an event during the month that helps to raise awareness of how close we are to eradicating polio AND encourages donations to the End Polio Now campaign. If you have been considering it this is the perfect month to join the PolioPlus Society. You will hear more from PolioPlus Chair Lindsay soon but in the interim, I encourage you to visit this website: https://www.endpolio.org/world-polio-day
Club Elections Preparation: In the month of October we begin preparations for your upcoming club elections typically conducted by the end of November. Strong leadership is the cornerstone of Rotary's success, and it starts at the club level. Take the time this month to identify passionate and dedicated individuals who are ready to lead your club into a new year of service. Your leadership team plays a crucial role in shaping the direction of your club's projects and initiatives. Please be mindful if you are nominated to the office of Club President or Secretary, or are new to the role of Club Treasurer, that attendance at the PETS held at the start of the District Conference is a mandatory requirement of Rotary International.
District Governor Nominations: A communication has been sent out to all club Presidents and Secretaries calling for nominations for the role of District Governor for District 7020 for the Rotary year 2026-2027. Please consider this request carefully and use the opportunity to properly nominate qualified and exemplary leaders to be considered by the selection committee to lead our wonderful District 7020 following DGE Bill Aiken's term in office.
Create Hope 7020 PETS Assembly and Conference Registration: Exciting news! Registration is now open for the Create Hope 7020 PETS Assembly and Conference to be held in Cayman from April 28 to May 4, 2024. The PETS element is mandatory for incoming club presidents and secretaries and the entire conference is a valuable opportunity to gain insights, exchange ideas, listen to stories of how clubs have created hope during the year, and prepare for a successful year of Rotary service. Register early to secure your spot and take advantage of this enriching experience.
Cayman and Jamaica Official DG Visits: During the first part of September we managed to squeeze in the first club visits to Cayman Rotary clubs and will continue with the rest in October. Thank you for your hospitality and attention to my message during these visits. For some reason visiting clubs in my home country hits differently and really drives home the great honour I have been afforded this year to lead our District. For the past two weeks, my wife Christina and I have been travelling through Jamaica visiting clubs across the island, as well as having opportunities to meet with Rotaractors. There are remarkable examples of how Jamaican Rotarians and Rotaractors are creating hope in their communities and we have been humbled by the welcome we have received wherever we have visited. Rotary is alive and well in Jamaica. We have one more week of visits before we return to Cayman and will return again in December to complete all the club visits but we know already that we will cherish the memories and friendships we have made. You can follow my travels via my Instagram page instagram.com/davidkirkaldy.7020
Mental Health and Wellness Activities Reminder: The theme of Mental Health and Wellness continues to resonate with our members. Please remember to keep working on activities related to mental health awareness and well-being. If your club doesn't already have a Mental Health Ambassador, consider appointing one to help advance these important initiatives within your community.
In closing, October is a month of opportunity—a time to harness our collective energy and resources to promote community and economic development. As we engage in projects that empower individuals and uplift communities, we are living the Rotary ideal of "Service Above Self." Thank you for welcoming Christina and me so warmly as we travel, for your unwavering commitment to Rotary, and for embodying the spirit of service in everything you do.
Together, we Create Hope in the World.
I remain, yours in Rotary service.
============
Chers Rotariens du District 7020,
Alors que nous accueillons le mois d'octobre, c'est un rappel à nous tous que le temps avance inexorablement. Pouvez-vous croire que le premier trimestre de notre année Rotary est déjà derrière nous ? C'est l'occasion de réfléchir au concept d'urgence dans tout ce que nous faisons, car notre temps est fugace et un quart de notre année "Créer de l'espoir dans le monde" est déjà derrière nous.
Octobre est dédié au développement économique et communautaire, l'une des sept domaines d'intérêt de Rotary. Cette focalisation est au cœur de la lutte contre la pauvreté et encourage les Rotariens à créer des opportunités de croissance économique durable et de progrès social. C'est l'une des pierres angulaires de l'engagement de Rotary à bâtir un monde meilleur. Le chômage, le sous-emploi, le manque d'opportunités économiques et l'absence de filets de sécurité sociale sont parmi les défis fondamentaux auxquels sont confrontées les communautés du monde entier, ainsi que celles de notre propre District 7020. Pour de nombreuses personnes, le travail représente le seul moyen d'améliorer leur bien-être. La création d'opportunités d'emploi productives est essentielle pour réduire la pauvreté et atteindre un développement économique et social durable. Cela assure la sécurité des revenus et l'autonomisation, en particulier pour les femmes, les personnes handicapées, les jeunes et les plus démunis. Les clubs de notre district ont mis en place divers programmes visant à apporter un changement concret dans la vie des plus vulnérables de leurs communautés, et j'ai hâte d'apprendre de vos succès dans ce domaine au fur et à mesure que le mois avance.
Journée mondiale de la polio: Célébrez la Journée mondiale de la polio le 24 octobre prochain lors de votre réunion de club cette même semaine ou avec un événement au cours du mois visant à sensibiliser à la proximité de l'éradication de la polio ET à encourager les dons à la campagne End Polio Now. Si vous y avez pensé, c'est le mois parfait pour rejoindre la Société PolioPlus. Vous en entendrez davantage de la part de la présidente de PolioPlus, Lindsay, prochainement, mais d'ici là, je vous encourage à visiter ce site web : https://www.endpolio.org/world-polio-day
Préparation des élections de club: Au mois d'octobre, nous commençons les préparatifs pour vos prochaines élections de club, généralement menées à bien d'ici fin novembre. Un leadership fort est la pierre angulaire du succès de Rotary, et cela commence au niveau du club. Prenez le temps ce mois-ci pour identifier des individus passionnés et dévoués prêts à diriger votre club vers une nouvelle année de service. Votre équipe dirigeante joue un rôle crucial dans la définition de l'orientation des projets et des initiatives de votre club. Soyez attentifs si vous êtes nominés aux postes de président ou de secrétaire de club, ou si vous êtes nouveaux dans le rôle de trésorier de club, car la participation à la formation des présidents de club (PETS) organisée au début de la conférence de district est une exigence obligatoire de Rotary International.
Nominations pour le poste de gouverneur de district: Une communication a été envoyée à tous les présidents et secrétaires de club appelant à des nominations pour le poste de gouverneur de district du District 7020 pour l'année Rotary 2026-2027. Veuillez considérer cette demande avec soin et utilisez l'opportunité de nominer correctement des leaders qualifiés et exemplaires pour être pris en considération par le comité de sélection pour diriger notre merveilleux District 7020 après le mandat de Bill Aiken, gouverneur désigné.
Inscription à l'Assemblée PETS et à la Conférence Create Hope 7020: Bonne nouvelle ! Les inscriptions sont désormais ouvertes pour l'Assemblée PETS Create Hope 7020 et la Conférence qui se tiendront aux îles Caïmans du 28 avril au 4 mai 2024. L'élément PETS est obligatoire pour les futurs présidents et secrétaires de club, et l'ensemble de la conférence est une précieuse opportunité pour acquérir des idées, échanger des idées, écouter des histoires sur la façon dont les clubs ont créé de l'espoir au cours de l'année, et se préparer à une année réussie au service de Rotary. Inscrivez-vous tôt pour réserver votre place et profitez de cette expérience enrichissante.
Visites officielles aux clubs des Caïmans et de la Jamaïque: Pendant la première partie de septembre, nous avons réussi à caser les premières visites de club aux clubs Rotary des Caïmans, et nous poursuivrons avec le reste en octobre. Merci pour votre hospitalité et votre attention à mon message lors de ces visites. Pour une raison quelconque, visiter les clubs de mon pays d'origine a un impact différent et souligne vraiment l'honneur qui m'a été accordé cette année de diriger notre District. Au cours des deux dernières semaines, ma femme Christina et moi avons voyagé à travers la Jamaïque en visitant des clubs dans tout le pays, ainsi que des Rotaractiens. Il existe d'extraordinaires exemples de la manière dont les Rotariens et les Rotaractiens jamaïcains créent de l'espoir dans leurs communautés, et nous avons été touchés par l'accueil chaleureux que nous avons reçu partout où nous sommes allés. Rotary est bien vivant en Jamaïque. Nous avons encore une semaine de visites avant de retourner aux Caïmans, puis nous reviendrons en décembre pour achever toutes les visites de clubs, mais nous savons déjà que nous chérirons les souvenirs et les amitiés que nous avons noués. Vous pouvez suivre mes voyages sur ma page Instagram: instagram.com/davidkirkaldy.7020
Rappel des activités de santé mentale et de bien-être: Le thème de la santé mentale et du bien-être continue de résonner auprès de nos membres. N'oubliez pas de continuer à travailler sur des activités liées à la sensibilisation à la santé mentale et au bien-être. Si votre club n'a pas déjà de "Ambassadeur de la Santé Mentale", envisagez de nommer quelqu'un pour aider à faire progresser ces importantes initiatives au sein de votre communauté.
En conclusion, octobre est un mois d'opportunité, un moment pour mobiliser notre énergie collective et nos ressources pour promouvoir le développement économique et communautaire. En nous engageant dans des projets qui autonomisent les individus et élèvent les communautés, nous vivons l'idéal de Rotary de "Service au-dessus de soi". Merci de nous avoir accueillis, Christina et moi, si chaleureusement pendant nos voyages, pour votre engagement inébranlable envers Rotary et pour incarner l'esprit de service dans tout ce que vous faites.
Ensemble, nous créons de l'espoir dans le monde.
Je reste à votre service, en toute amitié Rotarienne.
As we welcome September, we embrace the opportunity to focus on a cause that lies at the heart of Rotary's mission – Basic Education and Literacy. In a world where more than 775 million people over the age of 15 are still grappling with illiteracy, amounting to an incredible 17% of the global adult population, the significance of our efforts in this area cannot be overstated. This month, we aim to bolster the capacity of communities to support basic education and literacy, strive for gender equality in education, and elevate adult literacy. Our commitment in Rotary to education for all, regardless of age, underscores our dedication to a brighter and more equitable world. Rotarians around the globe, and in District 7020, unite to make a substantial impact in this area of focus. We are making a difference through various initiatives:
- Teacher Training: We share our knowledge and expertise with educators and professionals who work with vulnerable populations. By imparting our insights, we empower them to create nurturing and effective learning environments.
- Adult Literacy: Our members are at the forefront of battling adult illiteracy. We collaborate with local advocates to offer community-based literacy programs, ensuring that adults have the opportunity to enhance their skills and knowledge.
- Rotary Scholarships: Through scholarships, we invest in the future. We support students who hold the potential to catalyze transformative change within our communities, fostering growth and progress.
In the spirit of our commitment, I encourage each of you to commemorate World Literacy Day on September 8th (or during the month of September at any time) by organizing activities that showcase the impactful work of your respective clubs. Share these endeavours on social media, tagging our District's social channels, and let the world witness the transformative power of Rotary.
This month is particularly special as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Guatemala Literacy Project (GLP). With the involvement of more than 800 clubs and 90 districts, including our own District 7020, the GLP stands as one of Rotary's most extensive grassroots projects. Since 1997, our collective efforts have touched the lives of over 278,000 students in Guatemala through four sustainable programs. This remarkable project has received recognition from past RI President Ian Riseley, who praised it as the "gold standard of Rotary projects" due to its sustainability and profound impact.
Adding to the excitement, a new documentary film by Zara Janjua titled 'The Gift of Reading' on the GLP will premiere this month in the Cayman Islands. The Rotary Club of Grand Cayman, with its members on the Advisory Board of GLP, has been a steadfast supporter of this initiative for over a decade. Their dedication exemplifies the spirit of Rotary, driving us forward with shared purpose and unwavering commitment.
As we reflect on August, my wife Christina and I had the honour of visiting clubs in St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix in the US Virgin Islands. Meeting dedicated Rotarians and engaging with clubs has redoubled our commitment to service. Witnessing the passion and impactful work being carried out within these communities has been truly inspiring. Guiding clubs to reach new heights and connecting them with district and Zone resources is a role I particularly enjoy as DG, as it embodies the essence of Rotarian fellowship and collaboration.
This September, we embark on the first of two District Governor visits to Jamaica. Both Christina and I were born in Jamaica and we eagerly anticipate the opportunity to immerse ourselves in the vibrant Rotarian spirit of Jamaica in this first epic 19-day trip as together we continue Creating Hope in the World.
We will also have official visits to two of the Rotary clubs in the Cayman Islands, and whilst they are clubs I am familiar with, it will be good to gain more understanding of their unique projects and club activities ... and being able to drive home after is nice also.
Last weekend saw the formal chartering ceremony for the newest club in District 7020, the Rotary Club de Juvenat in Petion-Ville, Haiti. With almost 30 members an amazing event was held to celebrate, with over 250 persons in attendance. This club is going to do great work in their community, and beyond.
Whilst the addition of some 26 members from the new Rotary Club was awesome, we unfortunately saw a number of clubs with reduced membership leading to a net gain in District 7020 as of writing this letter on August 31 of only three members. Membership month was August, but every month is really a membership month, and clubs need to ensure that they are relevant and irresistible, not only to prospective new members from your community but also to your existing members, many of whom end up leaving Rotary as their club experience is just not a good value proposition.
As this monthly letter is an opportunity to reach all Rotarians in the District, I take this opportunity to add a few housekeeping items and reminders.
I once again thank you all, particularly your club Public Image Chairs, for posting your club activities to social media and sharing them with the District Public Image team. This really helps to show the world the important work that Rotary is doing in our communities. Share posts on your fellowship, also. Rotary was started for fellowship and our clubs would not be as effective as they are if it were not for the amazing activities we do as friends within our respective clubs.
Keep working to add speakers and activities around Mental Health and Wellness. As we have travelled it is clear that this theme is resonating with members. Ensure your club has a Mental Health Ambassador to help advance and raise awareness of initiatives and resources. If there is no one in this role in your club, volunteer to take on the role.
Start thinking about how your club will mark World Polio Day on October 24. It's over a month away at this point but planning now will make for a more impactful project, fundraiser or awareness activity in October as we highlight the fight against this terrible disease.
Ensure that, particularly club leadership, track the Club Awards chart and work towards checking off as many of the goals as possible, and certainly the mandatory ones. We are well underway in the year now and as more time passes it gets harder to achieve the highest levels which I know you can all reach if you work on them from now.
The Club Awards also tie into the Monthly Club Challenge. In September we are asking your clubs to conduct a basic education or a reading/literacy event which can be done either locally or internationally with a literacy organisation or NGO. I can't wait to see what the clubs of District 7020 do in September to advance this focus area.
This week begins our nomination process for the District Governor for the Rotary year 2026 / 2027. Your club President, Secretary and AG's will receive the instructions shortly on the process, and the nominations committee led by IPDG Debroah Howell look forward to the submissions in due course.
Finally, let this month be a testament to our commitment to education and literacy. As we join hands to make a lasting impact, let us remember that every step we take, and every life we touch, brings us closer to a more educated, equitable, and empowered world. In doing so we Create Hope in the World.
I remain, yours in Rotary service,
============
Chers Rotariens du District 7020,
Alors que nous accueillons le mois de septembre, nous saisissons l'occasion de nous concentrer sur une cause qui est au cœur de la mission de Rotary - l'éducation de base et l'alphabétisation. Dans un monde où plus de 775 millions de personnes âgées de plus de 15 ans luttent toujours contre l'analphabétisme, représentant un incroyable 17 % de la population mondiale adulte, l'importance de nos efforts dans ce domaine ne peut être surestimée.
Ce mois-ci, nous cherchons à renforcer la capacité des communautés à soutenir l'éducation de base et l'alphabétisation, à lutter pour l'égalité des genres dans l'éducation et à élever le niveau d'alphabétisation des adultes. Notre engagement au sein de Rotary en faveur de l'éducation pour tous, quel que soit l'âge, souligne notre dévouement à un monde plus lumineux et plus équitable. Les Rotariens du monde entier, et du District 7020, se réunissent pour avoir un impact significatif dans ce domaine de concentration. Nous faisons la différence à travers diverses initiatives :
- Formation des enseignants : Nous partageons nos connaissances et notre expertise avec les éducateurs et les professionnels qui travaillent avec les populations vulnérables. En transmettant nos idées, nous les habilitons à créer des environnements d'apprentissage nourrissants et efficaces.
- Alphabétisation des adultes : Nos membres sont en première ligne dans la lutte contre l'analphabétisme des adultes. En collaborant avec des défenseurs locaux, nous mettons en place des programmes d'alphabétisation axés sur la communauté, offrant ainsi aux adultes la possibilité d'améliorer leurs compétences et leurs connaissances.
- Bourses Rotary : À travers des bourses d'études, nous investissons dans l'avenir. Nous soutenons les étudiants qui ont le potentiel de catalyser un changement transformateur au sein de nos communautés, favorisant ainsi la croissance et le progrès.
Dans l'esprit de notre engagement, j'encourage chacun d'entre vous à commémorer la Journée mondiale de l'alphabétisation le 8 septembre (ou à tout moment au cours du mois de septembre) en organisant des activités qui mettent en lumière le travail impactant de vos clubs respectifs. Partagez ces initiatives sur les réseaux sociaux, en taguant les canaux sociaux de notre District, et laissez le monde contempler le pouvoir transformateur de Rotary.
Ce mois-ci revêt une importance particulière alors que nous célébrons le 25e anniversaire du Projet d'alphabétisation au Guatemala (GLP). Avec la participation de plus de 800 clubs et de 90 districts, dont notre propre District 7020, le GLP se présente comme l'un des plus vastes projets de base de Rotary. Depuis 1997, nos efforts collectifs ont touché la vie de plus de 278 000 étudiants au Guatemala à travers quatre programmes durables. Ce projet remarquable a été salué par l'ancien Président du RI, Ian Riseley, qui l'a qualifié de "norme d'or des projets Rotary" en raison de sa durabilité et de son impact profond.
Ajoutant à l'excitation, un nouveau documentaire réalisé par Zara Janjua, intitulé 'Le Cadeau de la Lecture', sur le GLP, sera présenté ce mois-ci aux Îles Caïmans. Le Rotary Club de Grand Cayman, avec ses membres au sein du Conseil consultatif du GLP, a été un fervent partisan de cette initiative pendant plus d'une décennie. Leur dévouement illustre l'esprit de Rotary, nous propulsant en avant avec un objectif commun et un engagement inébranlable.
Alors que nous réfléchissons sur le mois d'août, ma femme Christina et moi avons eu l'honneur de visiter les clubs de St. Thomas, St. John et St. Croix dans les Îles Vierges des États-Unis. La rencontre avec les Rotariens dévoués et l'engagement avec les clubs ont renforcé notre engagement envers le service. Témoigner de la passion et du travail impactant réalisé au sein de ces communautés a été une source d'inspiration profonde. Guider les clubs pour atteindre de nouveaux sommets et les connecter avec les ressources du district et de la Zone est un rôle que j'affectionne particulièrement en tant que Gouverneur de District. Il incarne l'essence même de la camaraderie et de la collaboration Rotarienne.
Ce mois de septembre marque le début de nos deux visites du Gouverneur de District en Jamaïque. Tant Christina que moi sommes originaires de la Jamaïque, et nous attendons avec impatience l'opportunité de nous immerger dans l'esprit Rotarien vibrant de la Jamaïque lors de ce premier voyage épique de 19 jours, tout en continuant à Créer l'Espoir dans le Monde.
Nous aurons également des visites officielles dans deux clubs Rotary des Îles Caïmans. Bien que je sois familier avec ces clubs, il sera intéressant de mieux comprendre leurs projets uniques et leurs activités... et le fait de pouvoir rentrer à la maison en voiture est également agréable.
Le week-end dernier a vu la cérémonie de charte officielle du nouveau club du District 7020, le Rotary Club de Juvenat à Pétion-Ville, Haïti. Avec près de 30 membres, un événement incroyable a été organisé pour célébrer, avec plus de 250 personnes présentes. Ce club accomplira un travail exceptionnel dans sa communauté, et au-delà.
Malheureusement, bien que l'ajout d'environ 26 membres du nouveau club Rotary ait été formidable, nous avons malheureusement constaté une diminution des effectifs dans certains clubs, ce qui a abouti à un gain net dans le District 7020, au moment de la rédaction de cette lettre le 31 août, de seulement trois membres. Le mois de l'adhésion était août, mais chaque mois est vraiment un mois de l'adhésion, et les clubs doivent veiller à être pertinents et irrésistibles, non seulement pour les nouveaux membres potentiels de votre communauté, mais aussi pour vos membres actuels, dont beaucoup finissent par quitter Rotary car leur expérience au sein du club n'est tout simplement pas une proposition de valeur satisfaisante.
Comme cette lettre mensuelle est une occasion de toucher tous les Rotariens du District, je saisis cette opportunité pour ajouter quelques points de gestion et rappels.
Je tiens une fois de plus à vous remercier tous, en particulier vos responsables de l'image publique du club, pour avoir publié les activités de votre club sur les réseaux sociaux et les avoir partagées avec l'équipe de l'image publique du District. Cela contribue grandement à montrer au monde le travail important que Rotary accomplit dans nos communautés. Partagez également des publications sur la camaraderie. Rotary a été fondé pour la camaraderie, et nos clubs ne seraient pas aussi efficaces s'ils ne se basaient pas sur les activités étonnantes que nous réalisons en tant qu'amis au sein de nos clubs respectifs.
Continuez à travailler pour ajouter des conférenciers et des activités autour de la santé mentale et du bien-être. Au fur et à mesure de nos voyages, il est évident que ce thème trouve un écho auprès des membres. Assurez-vous que votre club a un Ambassadeur de la santé mentale pour contribuer à faire progresser et sensibiliser aux initiatives et aux ressources. Si personne n'occupe ce rôle dans votre club, portez-vous volontaire pour le prendre en charge.
Commencez à réfléchir à la manière dont votre club marquera la Journée mondiale de la polio le 24 octobre. C'est encore plus d'un mois à venir, mais planifier dès maintenant permettra d'avoir un projet, une collecte de fonds ou une activité de sensibilisation plus impactante en octobre, alors que nous mettrons en lumière la lutte contre cette terrible maladie.
Veillez à ce que, particulièrement les dirigeants de club, suivent le tableau des Récompenses de club et s'efforcent de cocher autant d'objectifs que possible, et certainement les objectifs obligatoires. Nous sommes déjà bien engagés dans l'année, et à mesure que le temps passe, il devient plus difficile d'atteindre les niveaux les plus élevés, que je sais que vous pouvez tous atteindre si vous travaillez dessus dès maintenant.
Les Récompenses de club sont également liées au Défi mensuel du club. En septembre, nous demandons à vos clubs d'organiser une activité d'éducation de base ou de lecture/alphabétisation, qui peut être réalisée localement ou internationalement avec une organisation ou une ONG axée sur l'alphabétisation. J'ai hâte de voir ce que les clubs du District 7020 feront en septembre pour faire avancer ce domaine de concentration.
Cette semaine marque le début de notre processus de nomination pour le Gouverneur de District pour l'année Rotarienne 2026 / 2027. Votre Président de club, Secrétaire et AG recevront bientôt les instructions sur le processus, et le comité de nominations dirigé par l'IPDG Debroah Howell attend avec impatience les soumissions en temps voulu.
Enfin, que ce mois soit un témoignage de notre engagement envers l'éducation et l'alphabétisation. En unissant nos forces pour créer un impact durable, rappelons-nous que chaque pas que nous faisons, et chaque vie que nous touchons, nous rapproche d'un monde plus éduqué, plus équitable et plus puissant. En agissant ainsi, nous Créons de l'Espoir dans le Monde.
Je reste à votre service, avec tout mon dévouement Rotarien,
As we welcome the month of August, we embrace a new month theme – Membership and New Club Development. It's the month on the Rotary calendar when we focus on the lifeblood of our organization: our members and our efforts to expand Rotary into underserved communities.
My wife, Christina, and I recently had the pleasure of visiting the vibrant clubs in the Turks and Caicos Islands. We were warmly welcomed and left inspired by the passion, dedication, and community engagement, as well as the engagement with Rotaract, that we saw in action. The visit reinforced the importance of each individual's contribution, as every member plays an indispensable role in the impact of their club in the community.
Oh, I almost forgot. In Turks and Caicos I got dangerously close to actually flying a plane and I fed biscuits to a donkey named Sheneneh.
As we look forward to this month, we're excited to continue our District Governor visits with a journey at the start of the month to the clubs of the US Virgin Islands. We eagerly anticipate meeting more of you and hearing about your efforts within your communities. I also want to ensure that you use me (and any of our District committee chairs) as sounding boards for issues and questions you may have. The ‘district’ is here to add value and amplify the efforts of the clubs. Please reach out to us to help us add that value or to work with you to solve problems or issues you may be experiencing.
Rotary International's strength lies in our shared commitment to service and our sense of fellowship. This August, I encourage all clubs in our district to place a special emphasis on recruiting and nurturing new members. Consider also the development of new clubs. There are many new club formats that do not follow the traditional club format that makeup probably 90% of our district. Speak with our membership chair on Satellite Clubs, Impact Clubs, and Cause Based Clubs Let's work together to widen our reach, amplify our impact, and make our Rotary family grow.
I’d be remiss if I did not mention some housekeeping items.
I want to express my gratitude for the information you've been sending to our District Newsletter team and the District Public Image team. Your ongoing communication is vital for these important committees and helps to share the activities you are doing in your clubs to help Create Hope in your community. It aids in fostering connections, sharing ideas, and spreading the word about the fantastic work being done across District 7020.
I extend my thanks to our Assistant Governors who have submitted nominations for their Country Mental Wellness Advocates, and to the clubs that have introduced Club Mental Wellness Ambassadors into their club committee lineup. Your commitment to the mental well-being of our communities underlines the adaptability and humanity at the heart of Rotary International.
Please ensure your club is keeping track of the Club Awards chart and that you are all working towards checking off as many of the goals as possible, and certainly the mandatory ones. As the year progresses it will become harder to gain the points needed to achieve the higher levels so I encourage you to be working on this now.
Coupled with this is the Monthly Club Challenge, which starts in August with a theme-related challenge. We are asking your club to have a membership drive or a recruitment initiative and to submit an innovative approach to recruiting that your club conducted that had or is (projected to have) positive results on membership.
Finally, Rotary International and District 7020 annual dues are now due. Your prompt club payment is crucial, and I urge all clubs to make timely payments. If there are any issues, please don't hesitate to contact our District Treasurer, Dawn Cummings. She's available to provide any necessary support and address your concerns.
This month, as we work to make our club meetings engaging, our club experience irresistible, to grow our membership, develop new clubs, and ensure mental wellness advocacy, let's remember that each Rotarian's energy and engagement … your energy and engagement … helps to create a ripple effect of hope in your community.
I remain, yours in Rotary service,
--
David Kirkaldy
District Governor - 2023/2024
============
En accueillant le mois d'août, nous adoptons un nouveau thème mensuel : l'Adhésion et le Développement de Nouveaux Clubs. C'est le mois du calendrier du Rotary où nous nous concentrons sur le cœur même de notre organisation : nos membres et nos efforts pour étendre le Rotary dans les communautés sous-desservies.
Ma femme, Christina, et moi avons récemment eu le plaisir de visiter les clubs dynamiques des îles Turks et Caicos. Nous avons été chaleureusement accueillis et avons quitté ces lieux inspirés par la passion, le dévouement, l'engagement communautaire et l'engagement envers le Rotaract que nous avons vus en action. La visite a renforcé l'importance de la contribution de chaque individu, chaque membre jouant un rôle indispensable dans l'impact de leur club dans la communauté.
Oh, j'ai presque oublié. Aux îles Turks et Caïques, j'ai été dangereusement proche de piloter réellement un avion et j'ai donné des biscuits à un âne nommé Sheneneh.
En prévision de ce mois, nous sommes ravis de poursuivre nos visites en tant que gouverneurs de district avec un voyage au début du mois aux clubs des îles Vierges américaines. Nous sommes impatients de rencontrer plus d'entre vous et d'entendre parler de vos efforts au sein de vos communautés. Je veux aussi m'assurer que vous me considérez, ainsi que tous nos présidents de comités de district, comme des interlocuteurs pour les questions et problèmes que vous pourriez avoir. Le "district" est ici pour ajouter de la valeur et amplifier les efforts des clubs. N'hésitez pas à nous contacter pour nous aider à ajouter cette valeur ou pour travailler avec vous à la résolution des problèmes ou des difficultés que vous rencontrez.
La force du Rotary International réside dans notre engagement commun envers le service et notre sens de la camaraderie. Ce mois d'août, j'encourage tous les clubs de notre district à mettre l'accent sur le recrutement et le soin des nouveaux membres. Considérez également la création de nouveaux clubs. Il existe de nombreux formats de clubs nouveaux qui ne suivent pas le format traditionnel de club qui constitue probablement 90% de notre district. Parlez à notre président de l'adhésion des Clubs Satellite, des Clubs d'Impact et des Clubs Basés sur une Cause. Travaillons ensemble pour élargir notre portée, amplifier notre impact et faire grandir notre famille Rotary.
Je serais négligent si je ne mentionnais pas quelques points d'ordre.
Je tiens à exprimer ma gratitude pour les informations que vous avez envoyées à notre équipe du Bulletin d'information du district et à l'équipe de l'Image publique du district. Votre communication continue est vitale pour ces comités importants et aide à partager les activités que vous réalisez dans vos clubs pour aider à Créer de l'Espoir dans votre communauté. Elle contribue à favoriser les connections, à partager les idées et à diffuser le mot sur le travail fantastique qui est accompli à travers le district 7020.
Je tiens à remercier nos gouverneurs adjoints qui ont présenté des candidatures pour leurs défenseurs de la santé mentale dans leur pays, et aux clubs qui ont introduit des ambassadeurs de la santé mentale dans leur comité de club. Votre engagement en faveur du bien-être mental de nos communautés souligne l'adaptabilité et l'humanité au cœur du Rotary International.
Veuillez vous assurer que votre club suit le tableau des récompenses du club et que vous travaillez tous pour cocher le plus d'objectifs possible, et certainement les obligatoires. Au fur et à mesure que l'année avance, il deviendra plus difficile d'obtenir les points nécessaires pour atteindre les niveaux supérieurs, alors je vous encourage à travailler sur cela dès maintenant.
Ceci est couplé avec le Défi Mensuel du Club, qui commence en août avec un défi lié au thème. Nous demandons à votre club d'organiser une campagne d'adhésion ou une initiative de recrutement et de soumettre une approche innovante de recrutement que votre club a menée et qui a eu ou aura (on s'attend à) des résultats positifs sur l'adhésion.
Enfin, les cotisations annuelles de Rotary International et du district 7020 sont désormais dues. Le paiement rapide de votre club est crucial, et j'exhorte tous les clubs à effectuer des paiements en temps opportun. Si vous rencontrez des problèmes, n'hésitez pas à contacter notre trésorière de district, Dawn Cummings. Elle est disponible pour apporter tout le soutien nécessaire et répondre à vos préoccupations.
Ce mois-ci, alors que nous travaillons pour rendre nos réunions de club engageantes, notre expérience de club irrésistible, pour développer notre adhésion, développer de nouveaux clubs, et pour assurer la défense du bien-être mental, rappelons-nous que l'énergie et l'engagement de chaque Rotarien ... votre énergie et votre engagement ... contribuent à créer un effet d'ondulation d'espoir dans votre communauté.
It is a tragic and sad time for the people of Ukraine and the world.
At Rotary, we are deeply concerned by the deteriorating situation in Ukraine and the escalating loss of life and humanitarian hardship there. Continued military action against Ukraine will not only devastate the region, but also risk spreading tragic consequences across Europe and the world.
As one of the world’s largest humanitarian organizations, we have made peace the cornerstone of our global mission. We join the international community in calling for an immediate cease fire, withdrawal of Russian forces, and a restoration of diplomatic efforts to resolve this conflict through dialogue.
In the past decade, Rotary clubs in Ukraine, Russia and nearby countries have transcended national differences and have actively engaged in peace-building projects to promote goodwill and to marshal assistance for the victims of war and violence. Today, our thoughts are with our fellow Rotary members and others in Ukraine coping with these tragic events. Rotary International will do everything in its power to bring aid, support and peace to the region.
Rotary International 25-Feb-2022 https://my.rotary.org/statement-rotary-international-ukraine
Rotary International statement on Ukraine conflict
On August 14, 2021 Haiti was rocked by a massive 7.2 Magnitude Earthquake. At least 227 dead, with hundreds injured or missing. The Rotary District 7020 Earthquake response committee met today and are assessing the damage done; the immediate needs; and how to help. As we compile a list of needs and navigate the logistics to provide speedy aid, we are mounting an urgent fundraising appeal - if you'd like to help now please donate via credit card; paypal; check, or wire transfer. See the attached document for details. Cash is always the easiest way to get help to those who need it quickly. Email rotary7020relief@gmail.com for more information. Our committee is in direct contact with Rotarians and our partners on the ground including local authorities and experts which is the most effective way we can help.
Rotary District 7020 Disaster Preparedness Resources
As PEOPLE OF ACTION, being prepared for emergencies at the individual/family, club and district levels and helping others out in disasters are critical objectives that Rotary District 7020 has long strived to achieve . We encourage Rotarians to take action BEFORE, DURING and AFTER disasters. Here is a summary of these ACTIONS that our district takes concerning disasters
The D7020 District Disaster Preparedness Committee encourages all Rotarians and clubs to be prepared and provides the following informational resources and references to assist in this.
Rotarian Deborah was born in St. Thomas and has lived on St. Croix since 1983. She is a graduate of the Charlotte Amalie High School and University of the Virgin Islands. Prior to her assignment she has served as President of Rotary Club of St. Croix West, twice, Secretary, Foundation Chair, Director and member of various committees. Her strong sense of service and wide range of expertise allows her to assist the club capitalizing on unplanned opportunities. Deborah has functioned at the District level as Assistant Governor, District and Global Grants Chair, Attendance Chair, Conference Secretary and adjunct trainer for PETS. She is Rotary Leadership Institute trained.
Deborah joined Rotary Club of St. Croix West in 1998 and has remained active and engaged over the time. Her classification is Administrator, consistent with her Public Administration and Military leadership positions. As a Rotarian, Deborah is known for her energetic, compassionate and innovative approach to garnering funds for the Rotary Foundation. She is a major donor and an avid advocate for the Rotary Foundation and its efforts. Deborah indeed loves working to improve life in her community and abroad. She is a consistent member of her Club’s Community Service Committee.
Deborah is a retired United States Army General, after 36 years of military service. Her last assignment was Adjutant General, leading the Virgin Islands National Guard, particularly through the response and recovery efforts associated with Hurricanes Irma and Maria which devasted the Territory in 2017. Deborah has also served as Chief of Staff for an elected official, allowing her to serve in two branches of the Virgin Islands Government. She has a diversified and extensive background in managing personnel and programs.
Her life embodies service, whether Military, Rotary or Church, Deborah can be found on any day serving in activities to benefit others, her passion for service has never wavered. She is a member of Military Associations, American Legion Post 133, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. St. Croix Alumnae Chapter and Bethel Methodist Church. She is a Church Circuit Steward and Youth Leader.
Deborah’s advanced education consists of a Master of Science in Management from Central Michigan University and a host of military and civilian leadership academy courses. She attended the United States Army War College Fellowship at the University of Texas, Austin. Deborah attended Harvard University Homeland Security Institute for General and Flag Officers.
Deborah is married to Dennis. They are both retired military and proud parents and grandparents.
Rotary District 7020 Governor Deborah Y Howell 2022-2023
Will you help Interactors learn new skills and spread “Kindness”?
We are exciting to launch our newest project PICS - Promoting Interact Creative Skills.PICS gives Interactors an opportunity to explore the world of photography and to win prizes. We hope you’ll consider partnering with us by encouraging your local interactors to participate!
Interactors can
- Submit photographs illustrating Kindness
- Win cash and participate in a humanitarian service project
- Enjoy seeing their photos displayed on the web and social media, as well as at the 7020 DIstrict Conference
Une nouvelle opportunité passionnante pour les Interactors!
Voulez-vous aider les Interacteurs à cultiver de nouvelles compétences et à répandre la gentillesse?
Vous trouverez votre invitation en pièce jointe
Nous sommes heureux de lancer notre nouveau projet PICS - Stimuler des compétences créatives d'Interacteurs. PICS donne aux utilisateurs une opportunité d’experimenter la photographie et de gagner des prix. Nous comptons sur votre participation en encourageant vos Interacteurs à participer!
Les acteurs peuvent
- Soumettre des photographies illustrant Gentillesse
- Gagnez de l'argent et participez à un projet de service humanitaire
- Profitez de voir leurs photos affichées sur le Web et les médias sociaux, ainsi que lors de la conférence 7020 District
In response to the devastation caused by Category 5 Hurricane Irma throughout District 7020’s many islands, the District has set up a Disaster Recover Fund.
The fund will be managed by Rotary’s DNA-RAG Rotarian Action Group, a 501(c)3, in cooperation with District 7020’s Disaster Relief Committee.
For Online Donations
To contribute please wire funds to:
Name of Account: Disaster Network of Assistance - Rotarian Action Group, Inc. dba “DNA-RAG”
Account #: 12 1682 8928
Swift Code: PNCCUS33
Physical address of Bank: PNC Bank, 9033 Glades Rd, Boca Raton, FL 33433
We hope you consider the content on our Awards Page both informative and useful. We will update the documentation as the various deadlines approach and this will include specific Application Forms for each of the various awards.
District Governor Haresh has been true to his promise of Be the Change and has created awards which give every club the opportunity to shine and to achieve. No matter if your club is large or small, strong or struggling you can achieve recognition for your efforts. You are Rotary Serving Humanity!
Please make sure your activities are recognized – don’t miss the deadlines for submission!
We look forward to honouring all of you at the District Conference on board the Enchantment of the Seas in May, 2017.
Dear fellow Rotarians, Rotaractors and Family of Rotary,
Family of Rotary - Who are our Rotary Family?
Michelle and I have just returned from two contrasting but equally fulfilling visits to the tremendous Rotary Clubs of The Bahamas and North/North West Haiti. Here, as always, we were made to feel totally at home and part of our unique Caribbean Rotary Family that spreads across 10 countries and 16 Islands and 83 clubs we call our District. Everywhere we went it became clear to us that there is a deep passion for Rotary and clubs and members working closely together delivering much needed service to the community, especially during these difficult economic times.
December is “Family Month” for Rotary International and appropriately so at this most family focused time of year, where we celebrate together with those closest to us. Family however is at the very cornerstone of what we do year round so whllst we pay special recognition to it this month the concept of the “Family of Rotary” is one that we are encouraged to recognise and value all year round. Although the concept is a fairly recently introduced one to our vocabulary, it is a very valuable and appropriate one for our great organisation. In these three simple words it sets out a number of points:
Firstly ”Family of Rotary” emphasizes that we are, or should be, than just a random group of individuals serving above self – we are bonded, if not genetically or by blood with common aims and goals, with a common philosophy that we exemplify by our behavior and standards in our day to day lives. We also have a responsibility to support each other especially in our times of need just as we would a family member. In this way Rotary gives us an opportunity for us to developer deeper, longer lasting relationships – Rotarians become our brothers and sisters, there is the opportunity for our more seasoned Rotarians to take on paternal/maternal roles as mentors to our less experienced and younger members. We have the opportunity to build and nurture just as we would expect in the typical family environment.
Of course, just like families we may not always see eye to eye! Rotary brings our strong feelings and rightly so. Many Rotarians are passionate about what we stand for as well as about the causes they feel should be given most attention and sometimes this can cause rifts within our family. However we are also good at rising above this and as all good families should, resolving our differences in the best interests of our wider goals, to ensure that our internal issues do not distract from our primary focus of Service Above Self.
On another level the term “Family of Rotary” enables us to understand that Rotary is wider than just our members. We have a wide array of sons, daughters and grandsons and daughters that we’ve given birth to over the years and remain responsible for: Starting with the Rotary clubs we’ve most recently sponsored, who need our support especially during their sensitive first three to four years of existence. It’s simply not good enough to form these clubs then walk away. They too need careful nurturing if they are to have a good chance of success.
Then of course there is our “New Generations” or “Youth Service” family of Rotaract, Interact and Earlyact Clubs, as well as programmes such as RYLA. As a district we can be tremendously proud of these younger family members and for risk of further that well-worn phrase, these young people really are our “Future”. As tremendous energetic group ranging from 5 to 30 in age who understand and respect the value of Service above Self and the essence of what we do, having grown up with it around them. In our District we have one of the high ratios of Rotaract and Interact Clubs to Rotaract Clubs in the world so this bodes well for our future. Regardless of whether their members will eventually transition into Rotary, our hope is that they will remain a member of our Family and keep with them the spirit of what we do which one day may be reactivated with their reengaging as a full fledged Rotarian.
Another group that we as a District are focusing on bringing into our extended family are those who have the spirit of Rotary, who help our clubs deliver projects but either are not necessarily ready or qualified to become full-fledged members. We all have these individuals around our clubs and whether or not they are potential members they have great value to us and we need, especially at this time of year, to make sure that we properly recognise their contribution and that they are indeed still part of our Rotary Family. These of course include Community Corp members or perhaps “Friends of Rotary” groups as some clubs have smartly named these important individuals, giving them a sense of belonging and significance, inviting them to meetings as guests and making them know that they are also an important part of our family.
We have all heard the argument that Rotary needs to grow and you will know that I agree with that, but only if we do so with quality new members. In fact I would rather see our clubs become stronger than larger and the two do not necessarily go hand in hand. Part of the push for an increase in membership comes from the argument that Rotary has stayed the same size at 1.2m members for the past decade. Whilst there is some validity in this, I would argue that Rotary as a whole has become significantly larger and, from what I see as I travel from club to club, more effective in what we do. If we count the members of our Family of Rotary then I have no doubt we are much more substantial organisation than we were 10 years ago. We are also a stronger one, with greater depth through our extended family and I would argue one that is closer to and has a better understanding of our community needs because of it and a better ability to serve than ever before. So let’s use our Family or Rotary to strengthen our clubs. Work with them, support them and build so we can all Serve above Self better than ever before.
Michelle and I wish you all a joyous Christmas, one where your family circle will be wide enough to include your Rotary Family as we together we celebrate and give thanks for the year we have just enjoyed and fortify ourselves for the busy year to come.
Hard to believe the year is almost ended, and the spirit of Christmas and the bringing of a new year and new hope is near upon us. We start December with lots of activities to plan and this is the right time to include in that planning the Biggest Rotary Celebration of the year - The International Convention in SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA June 1-4, 2014. I'm providing for your planning some relevant information which I hope you will use to guide you in arriving there for this not-to-be-missed event!
Booking: http://www.riconvention.org/en/2014/Pages/ridefault.aspx - At this site you will be able to register; make hotel bookings, and book local host events. We have NOT selected an official hotel for 7020 this time as the disparity of rates is too vast and none of the hotels I contacted are willing to hold a block of rooms for any period of time. But the transportation system in Sydney is great and any of the downtown area hotels should suffice just fine. It is important to note that, apart from the events on this site, there will be at least 2 events you want to make note of.
1. Zone 33/34 Southland Reception which will take place on Saturday May 31, 2014, 5:30 – 7:30PM at the Powerhouse Museum in downtown Sydney, amidst the main hotels and restaurants. Cost is USD$50.
2. The District Social is planned for the evening of the Opening ceremony (Sunday June 1, 2013) at 7pm, right after the second plenary session. Details of this venue will be circulated closer to the time.
I'm attached 2 files which speaks to more information on the above.
And finally, There are several pre-convention tours and events and post convention tours taking place. Coming from so far you should take advantage of all that Australia has to offer. Here are two rotary recommended ones that have offerings: www.howardtours.net & www.pacificholidaysinc.com
Wish you and your loved ones a Very Merry Christmas and a Prosperous and Peaceful New Year. And, as always, of you have any questions or queries feel free to contact me.
Yours in Rotary
Rtn. Haresh L. Ramchandani, PRF (Permanent Rotary Fan)
Dear fellow Rotarians, Rotaractors and Family of Rotary,
Is there a better return on investment?
If someone offered you a One Thousand Percent return on investment, you’d be right to be suspicious, especially in this economy! Well, as Rotarians in District 7020, we have a unique opportunity – probably one that very few of our Fellow Rotarians have the chance of experience anywhere else in the Rotary World. Analysis shows that for every dollar we contribute – we get a massive ten times back to our District in terms of Grants (especially from the former Matching Grants – now known as Global Grants) through the generosity and unique mechanism of our Rotary Foundation.
Matching with International partner clubs and Districts, using their cash and DDF – (District Designated Funds https://www.rotary.org/myrotary/en/annual-fund-and-share), combining these with our cash District 7020 DDF and then matching with the Foundation World Fund turns the US$200,000 - US$250,000 we contribute as a District each year into US2m to US$3m in grants three years later!
This money funds schools, orphanages, and water projects in Haiti; medical equipment at hospitals such as the Mandeville Regional in Jamaica; dialysis machines in places like Cayman; computer labs and reading programmes in St. Thomas USVI; an emergency oxygen generator in St. John; a new school playfield in Port Antonio, Jamaica; as well as numerous other projects throughout our District. As Michelle and I continued our travels across the District in October to the USVI and North West and North East Jamaica clubs, we were again in awe of the tremendous work being done by our clubs and Rotarians, often through our Foundation. When adding the local multiplier effect of our expertise and sweat equity to the equation, the return is even greater!
Of course, an essential component is the international clubs we work with; and if we are to maintain and increase their support we need to continue to show that we can be strong and reliable partners for them. With the successful roll-out of the New Grants Model in our District (96.4% of our clubs are certified), we have taken a strong step forward; however, what else can we do to make sure? Well it’s a lot easier if we can look our partners in the eyes as a 100% giving district – with every club giving what they can afford to our Foundation. Last year only 75% of our clubs gave to the Annual Fund and this is simply not good enough. As a beneficiary of 10x what we give annually, nothing less than our being a 100% giving district is “fair to all concerned.”
This year, I have challenged each of our Presidents to give “something” to the Annual Fund, as well as clubs to give at least US$12 per annum per member (many of course will give much, much more - and do). This year, District 7020 will be a 100% giving district. Our Presidents will also be recognised at the 2014 District Conference as the “FIRST CLASS” of Presidents ever, 100% of whom will have contributed to our Foundation.
So, when your President and Foundation Chair asks you to contribute something to our Foundation for the first time, to become a Sustaining Member, or, if your club aims to be achieve EREY status this year; if you’ve been asked to contribute for your first Paul Harris Fellow or your 10th as a Major Donor; Remember – whatever you can give – will come back as grants three years later as at least ten times the amount – and that can do a lot of good.
Show your support for our Foundation by clicking the “Give” button on the welcome page of the www.rotary.org website. It’ll be the best investment you’ve ever made!
Have a great November as we strive to Engage Rotary - Change Lives through our Foundation!
Yours in Rotary Service,
Jeremy Hurst, Governor 2013/14
District 7020 -Rotary International
New Generations Month……a celebration of all Rotary’s youth programmes : Rotaract,Interact,EarlyAct, RYLA, Youth Exchange.
Rotaractors can really be looked at as “Rotarians in Training” and we are able to provide enthusiasm and motivation for our Rotarians.
I encourage you all to make an effort, especially during this month, to reach out to your various New Generations programmes, and in doing so, bring together the members of the Rotary Family.
Some suggestions of what you can do during this month with Rotaract :
Visit your (or any) Rotaract club meeting
Invite a Rotaractor to be a Guest Speaker at one of your meetings for the month
Join forces to plan a community service project for the month or simply attend one of theirs that are already planned
Invite your Rotaract President to chair one of your club meetings
Support a Rotaract fundraiser
Speak with your Rotaract President and Secretary about attending PETS in October and see how you can encourage their attendance
Work with a Rotaract club outside of your immediate area to plan an International Service project
Plan a social with Rotaractors, or invite them to attend one of yours, and make them feel welcomed to attend
Ensure that the New Generations Chair of the club is up to date on all activities of the Rotaract club(s), and keeps your club informed of such
Let us work together to celebrate all our New Generations for this month!
“Each generation goes further than the generation preceding it, because it stands on the shoulders of that generation” – Ronald Reagan
Allow us the opportunity to stand on your shoulders and be your Partners in Service!
The Rotary Club of Grand Cayman Central (Rotary Central) was proud to sponsor five students at the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) in St. Augustine, Florida from June 27 to 30, 2013. The aim of RYLA is to launch already talented young people back into their communities, inspired and provided with fresh ideas, understandings, and skills. RYLA also seeks to send students back to their communities better equipped to become leaders of tomorrow and prepared to apply what they have learned at the conference.
The students participating at this year’s event were: Antony McFarlane, Aolani Watson, Mikayla Wilson, Katelyn Bush and Lauren Williams. In addition, Rotary Central sponsored Romario Nathan to attend as one of the Junior Counselors at the event, an opportunity to learn skills in planning and co-ordination.
“The organizers of the RYLA in St. Augustine have been welcoming Cayman Islands students to their event for the past three years”, said Rotarian Martin Ruben, who leads the RYLA program for the club. “Each year the event gets better and better and offers students an amazing opportunity to learn personal, business and community leadership concepts in a very unique setting.”
There were approximately 100 students participating at this year’s event and the rest of the students were from areas around St. Augustine and Jacksonville, Florida. For the first time since attending the event, one of four major awards was given to Antony McFarlane for demonstrating respect, a key element of leadership.
About Rotary Central
Rotary Central is part of Rotary International, a global association of Rotary clubs, with a common mission to provide service to others, to promote high ethical standards, and to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through its fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.
Rotary Central received its charter from Rotary International on October 30 1986. Since then the club has established an impressive track record of service in Cayman’s community, which has included assistance with housing, the building of the T.E. McField Centre, the restoration of the Mastic Trail, the Science Fair, Literacy Hurricane relief and a wide range of youth programmes. Rotary Central currently has over 70 members ranging across various sectors of the community. More information is available at www.rotarycentral.ky
Rotary Central’s inducts 4 new Rotarians at Changeover Night
Rotary Central held its Change Over on Friday evening, 28th June 2013 at Ristorante Papagallo. The evening saw the induction of 4 new Rotarians.
From l to R: IPP Ravee Kapoor, Rot. Zelta Gayle (Sponsor) and new Rotarians Vinton Douglas, Tunde MacDonald, Trudy-Ann Scott, Rot. Sheraim Mascall (Sponsor) and new Rotarian Dannel Rahamut with President Naude Dreyer (Sponsor)
Rotary Central welcomes these new Rotarians, three of which have made the transition from Rotaract Blue to the Rotary Club.
President Naude Dreyer expressed his appreciation to the new members and urged them to embrace the ideals of Rotary “Service Above Self” and above all to engage in the activities of the Club and support the theme of Rotary 2013-14 “Engage Rotary – Change Lives”
About Rotary Central
Rotary Central Grand Cayman is part of Rotary International, a global association of Rotary clubs, with a common mission to provide service to others, to promote high ethical standards, and to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through its fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.
Rotary Central received its charter from Rotary International on October 30 1986. Since then the club has established an impressive track record of service in Cayman’s community, which has included assistance with housing, the building of the T.E. McField Centre, the restoration of the Mastic Trail, the Science Fair, Literacy Hurricane relief and a wide range of youth programmes. Rotary Central currently has over 65 members ranging across various sectors of the community. More information is available at www.rotarycentral.ky
Dear fellow Rotarians, Rotaractors and Family of Rotary,
Welcome to the start of the 2013/14 Rotary year! PDG Vance and Monica have passed the mantel to Michelle and I, after a highly successful year, taking the district to new heights and in only 12 short months we will be doing likewise to DGN Paul and Kay! So what can we achieve in the 365 days in between?
The answer of course is plenty and the great news is that your District and your Club Leadership Teams have had the plenty of opportunities to prepare thoroughly for the coming year. I want to congratulate and thank each of you for the time, effort and energy that you've invested as you’ve prepared your plans for the coming year. It is essential now, however, that we implement these plans and carry them through. If not, all of our training and preparation will have gone to waste and we can’t afford that to happen - nor will we let it!
One thing for sure is that the 8,760 short hours that make up the 2013/14 Rotary year will be gone before we know it. So we can't afford to wait - let's put our plans in action from the very first day of this Rotary year. If we invest the time now, then the rest of the year will go well for us. The next two months are therefore the key to our success!
RI President Ron Burton has challenged each of us to Engage Rotary, Change Lives and the best way for us to achieve this, is for every last one of us to get actively involved in at least one area of our club that we enjoy and where we can best put your skills and vocation to good use. Regardless whether you are the newest or most experienced Rotarian, you have significant value to offer your club and community, whether it is in humanitarian, club service, youth service or our Rotary Foundation. It is your responsibility, as a Rotarian, to contribute your time and talent and it’s your President and Committee Chairs’ responsibility to ask you to get involved! So please make their life easier by smiling and saying yes when they do and if they don't – remind them that you’re ready and willing!
I’ve also challenged your board to make your club meetings as vibrant and enticing as possible - well organised with strong guest speakers and programmes. We all need to enjoy Rotary to stay engaged and strong weekly meetings and regular fellowship events are common threads that run through the most successful Rotary clubs.
2013/14 is an exciting year for Rotary. We are “This Close” to eradicating Polio and can be rightly proud of our Foundation and its successes, which will only be strengthened as we roll out the new grants model. Our District theme this year, Building our Future with Vision, embraces the need for us to continue to build and plan for the future. However more than anything, 2013/14, is the opportunity for you to make your personal mark as a Rotarian.
So let’s make 2013/14 the best year yet for our Clubs, the communities we serve and our District as we Engage Rotary, Change Lives.
We are quickly approaching our 200 registration mark. This number will be increased shortly as we finalize travel and registration details of over 100 Haitian Rotarians and finish our BVI Club registration drive. This will mean that by March 15, our projected registration number will be 400 registrants with only 2 months remaining before the highly anticipated District Conference 7020 in the BVI. This is exciting!
Therefore, if you have not registered you must register now to be a part of this amazing experience. Please visit our website at www.rotary7020conference.com and register online using a quick process. Our registration experts can be reached by emailing business.servicesbvi2013@gmail.com They are ready to answer all of your questions.
Here are a few facts about conference registration.
1. The main conference activities will take place on Tortola at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College.
2. Maria's by the Sea is our conference hotel where our main hospitality lounge will be housed. You must book your hotel separately and directly with the hotel. There are other hotel choices where transportation will be provide to the conference site at H. Lavity Stoutt Community College.
3. In order to attend the events that are Free, you and your family must be registered for the conference. (PETS only, Assembly and Conference only, or PETS/Assembly/Conference). The Partner Program (for guests)is $70 dollars.
4. The BVI has an entry visa requirement for some county nationals in our district, which are Jamaica and Haiti. If you reside in one of the other district islands but you are a national of another country please email us at bvi2013@gmail.com to ascertain if you need a visa for the conference. We have made the entry visa process very easy:
1. Register for the conference
2. Email your passport page fact page and conference registration number.
3. Get your Visa within two weeks.
The deadline for this process is March 15, 2012
5. Once you have registered for the conference you will receive an email confirmation number at your email address. You can update your registration details at any time after using your confirmation number. Ensure that your travel details are accurate so that we can ensure that you are collected at all ports of entry. If you already registered, please modify your registration to include travel information.
We have an amazing conference planned under the theme "Experience the Passion of Rotary”. If you have never been to the BVI you must come to experience the culture, food, people and simply amazing vistas.
See you at District Conference 7020 May 13-18 2013. BVI Mehson!
YIRS,
Conference Chairman
David B D Archer Jr
"Experience the Passion of Rotary
Registration Information for PETS & District Conference 2012-2013
Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year
A message from the District Governor:
During this Festive Season, the meaning of Peace through Service will be shown in countless ways by thousands of Rotarians the world over. With the Christmas message of 'Peace & Hope' in our thoughts, we will be able to look back on the opportunities where we have given someone, somewhere, the opportunity to live and enjoy life, without having to fight to survive. We will also be able to anticipate further opportunities to serve during the New Year.
As 2012 draws to an end, I would like to extend my thanks to everyone, everywhere who has made this year a tremendous success. Thank you for all your efforts!
As Monica and I have traveled across the District it has offered us the opportunity to see the marvelous work carried out by our clubs. Along with enthusiasm, commitment and an understanding of local needs, I realize that in our District, no project is too big or too small for a Rotary club to undertake. By giving of their time, energy and creative thinking, Rotarians in District 7020 achieve a great deal and I invite the clubs to share with the public the news of what they are doing and see how it will make a positive difference in membership growth.
As we are aware, we are now down to less than 250 new cases of polio in the last year, but the battle is far from over. The political and financial obstacles to full eradication remain significant, therefore it is essential that we continue to build awareness, raise funds, and encourage advocacy.
As we reflect on the year that has passed and approach a new year, let’s ponder on what we can do to continue to make a difference in our community. As Gandhi said, “you must be the change you want to see in this world”. What changes do you personally plan to make in 2013?
We hope that the New Year brings everyone health, happiness and joy, wherever you are. Once again, thank you for all your efforts during 2012.
Monica & I wish you all, a very Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year!
D uring the Age of Discovery, Portuguese explorers landed in places that are now home to many Rotarians who will attend the 2013 RI Convention in Lisbon, 23-26 June. (Register by 15 December to enjoy the best rate).
Prince Henry the Navigator, son of King John I, paved the way for Portugal’s dominance in exploration by sponsoring excursions that crept southward along the coast of Africa in the early 15th century. (In 1484, Christopher Columbus approached King John II with a proposal to sail west in search of the Indies, but it was rejected. Spain got the credit for that famed journey.)
Among the great Portuguese explorers was Bartolomeu Dias, who in 1488 sailed around the Cape of Good Hope, the southernmost tip of Africa, ultimately proving to Europeans that it was possible to reach the Indies (and their valuable spices) by sea. In 1497, Vasco da Gama went farther, sailing up the eastern coast of Africa and across the Arabian Sea to reach India. Three years later, Pedro Álvares Cabral, en route to India, first sailed southwest to what is now Brazil.
In 1519, Ferdinand Magellan led the first expedition to circumnavigate the globe – although Magellan himself perished in a battle in the Philippines and did not complete the trip. Magellan was Portuguese, but because he’d fallen out of favor in his home country, his fleet sailed under the Spanish flag.
You can see evidence of Portugal’s prosperity during this era at some of Lisbon’s most beautiful sites, including the Jerónimos Monastery, which houses da Gama’s tomb, and Belém Tower, built to defend the mouth of the Tagus River.
The month of November in our Rotary calendar is celebrated as Foundation month. Our Rotary International President Sakuji Tanaka in his monthly message reminds us of our Foundation’s motto: “Doing Good in the World”. He also reminded us that we can do so much more good through The Foundation than we could ever do alone in order to continue to help people – people just like us.
I would like to reiterate to Rotarians that it is incumbent on us, Rotarians, to ensure that our Foundation remains a strong and viable entity if we are to continue to change people’s life and circumstances. To support our Foundation there is no donation of time and resources too small. Each combines to result in an ocean of help for humanity. We can guarantee the future success of our Foundation by each contributing what we can to the various funds of the Foundation. There are many ways to do this, but at this time I wish to focus on one of the ways of giving.
One of our goals for our District this year, and for the foreseeable future, is to encourage every Rotarian to give something to our Annual Fund. This concept is known as Every Rotarian Every Year (EREY). Many persons in our regional communities and beyond, whose lives we have changed through our Rotary Foundation make sacrifices every day just to make ends meet. As Rotarians, it’s incumbent on us to give up a little to ensure the future viability of the Foundation.
If each of us makes a small sacrifice, then together, we can make a much greater impact than if we tried alone. If we choose to make that sacrifice by giving to the Foundation, then as a District, for the first time ever, we would have 100% of our clubs contributing to our Foundation! Wouldn’t that be a powerful statement by all of our collective voices? It would also mean an organization in which every single member is supporting, and is invested in, the Foundation’s success – making The Rotary Foundation truly Our Foundation; through the magic of collaboration.
I conclude my message by appealing to every Rotarian in this District and elsewhere to change the world a little bit at a time by ensuring that through our individual sacrifices, we can become a collective giant. If we do, we will truly be living the words of the motto of our Rotary Foundation: “Doing Good in the World”.
On November 17, General Secretary John Hewko and his wife will be riding 111 miles in the El Tour de Tucson Ride where they hope to raise $111,000 for polio eradication as a tribute to all of the Rotarians worldwide who have helped push polio to the brink of eradication.
Between now and then, Rotarians can log into Member Access at www.rotary.org and contribute to GS Hewko – Ride to End Polio.
Past RI Vice President Eric Adamson from District 7570 will also be traveling to Arizona to ride in the El Tour de Tucson Ride and help raise money for the eradication of Polio in memory of Bill Orndorff, Rotarian and avid cyclist. Eric plans to ride 85 miles with a goal to raise $85,000. You can support Eric by making a contribution to The Rotary Foundation for Polio Plus. Email the amount of your contribution to Eric at eric.adamson@earthlink.net so that he can track the progress toward his goal.
Contributions supporting John and Eric receive Paul Harris credit and will be credited toward your club and district.
With the passing of September, we are now into the fourth month of this Rotary year. In the past 3 months, Monica and I have visited Rotary, Rotaract, Interact and EarlyAct Clubs in Anguilla, St Martin/St Maarten & St Barths, the USVI(N & S) and Jamaica. We have been enthusiastically received and have witnessed the great work that is being done by Clubs in all communities. Needless to say, we feel humbled by the stories and the projects that we have heard and seen.
October is Vocational Service month; those of you who have read President Tanaka’s message for this month will I hope, excuse me for using a part of his message here, but I think there is a message here for all of us, (here he is talking of his first experiences as a new member of Rotary) and I quote “for the first two years, we didn’t do much. Every week, I came to my meeting, I ate lunch, and I listened to a speaker. I paid my dues, and I gave money to The Rotary Foundation. But I wasn’t involved in any service. I didn’t know what Rotary service was supposed to be. That all changed one week, when we had a speaker who talked about vocational service. This was a new idea to me. Until then, I had never thought much about the purpose of my life, or why I was in business. I was too busy working. I was always focused on my business, and on how to make it larger and better. I never stopped to consider any deeper purpose of my work.”
Step back and take a few moments to reflect on this. Can you see yourself here? Or maybe you experienced a “Rotary moment” when a light came on and you came to understand the true purpose of being a Rotarian.
So what is Vocational Service? To get a full perspective on this I went to the RI web site. I learnt that Vocational Service provides the opportunity for Rotarians to help those less fortunate in the world, in our communities, to escape poverty and regain a measure of self respect. As Rotarians, we have a responsibility to promote high ethical standards through our vocations, and we use our professional skills and expertise to address problems and needs in our societies. One way we can promote high ethical standards is to quote Rotary’s Four Way test at every opportunity.
Vocational Service is one way that sets Rotary apart from other service and humanitarian organisations as it is unique to Rotary. Through our Classifications lists, we ensure that Club membership properly represents the professional vocations within our communities. So how can your clubs do your part in promoting Vocational Service? Here are some suggestions:
Ask members to speak about their vocations at Club meetings
Extend this to presentations to Rotaract, Interact and EarlyAct Clubs, and also to students in local secondary schools
Invite young persons to your place of work, explain what you do and emphasise the high ethical standards that exist
Promote the Four Way Test, by including on business cards, posters displayed in the work place, in schools
Promote an essay competition where participants describe how the Four Way Test has impacted their lives
Vocational Service is one of the 5 Avenues of Service within Rotary. It demonstrates how by using our skills and expertise we make the lives of others better, which leads to a better, kinder world, where citizens can live in Peace, not fear, can live with dignity, not desperation. Its just another way Rotarians can exemplify our Motto for 2012/13 – Peace though Service.
Good luck to you all! I look forward to hearing about all the great and imaginative activities that you engage in this month of Vocational Service as Monica and I continue our visits to Clubs in Haiti, seeing at first hand further evidence of the great work we all continue to do.
Every Rotarian is different. Every Rotarian was drawn into Rotary for different reasons, and many vividly remember their first “Rotary Moment” – the moment when they went from being members of their Rotary clubs to being committed Rotarians.
I love hearing these stories and learning about what drew each Rotarian into Rotary. For some, it was a Rotary office, a particular project, or a convention. For me, it was a speaker at an ordinary weekly meeting of the Rotary Club of Yashio, about two years after I’d joined.
I am a charter member of my club, and I was invited to join by the charter president. I had never heard of Rotary, and at the time, I didn’t really know what service meant. But I was new to Yashio. I had just moved there from Tokyo, and I didn’t know many people. I thought Rotary would be a good way to make friends and to help my business, and I respected the person who invited me, so I joined.
But to be honest, for the first two years, we didn’t do much. Every week, I came to my meeting, I ate lunch, and I listened to a speaker. I paid my dues, and I gave money to The Rotary Foundation. But I wasn’t involved in any service. I didn’t know what Rotary service was supposed to be.
That all changed one week, when we had a speaker who talked about vocational service. This was a new idea to me. Until then, I had never thought much about the purpose of my life, or why I was in business. I was too busy working. I was always focused on my business, and on how to make it larger and better. I never stopped to consider any deeper purpose of my work.
Understanding the idea of vocational service completely changed my attitude toward my work, and toward my own purpose in life. I realized that the goal of a person doing business is not only to earn a living. The purpose is to be a contributing member of the community, to make the community stronger, and to help make other people’s lives better. When I understood this, and understood the concept of Service Above Self, it changed my life – and set me firmly on the path to a life of Rotary service. That is my Rotary Moment.
Portugal is home to 0.15 percent of the global population – a fact that belies the country’s outsize influence. Portuguese ranks seventh in the world in the number of native speakers and is an official language in nine countries. Rotarians who attend the 2013 RI Convention in Lisbon, 23-26 June, will likely meet Portuguese speakers with a variety of accents, from Angola to Brazil to Macau to Mozambique.
In tourist areas, you will also find it easy to communicate in English, but if you can speak a bit of the local language, you’ll better appreciate Lisbon and all it has to offer. Here’s a primer to get you started.
Hello!Olá!
Pleased to meet you.Muito prazer.
Good morning/afternoon/evening!Bom dia/Boa tarde/Boa noite!
Please.Por favor.
Thank you.Obrigado (women say obrigada).
My name is …O meu nome é … or Chamo-me …
I don’t speak Portuguese. Do you speak English?Desculpe, não falo português. Fala inglês?
RI President Sakuji Tanaka is encouraging all Rotarians to focus on advancing Peace Through Service in 2012-13. You can help put the president’s theme into action by encouraging Rotarians in your district to consult the Rotary Global Peace Forums brochure and participate in recommended peace activities throughout the year.
Three Rotary Global Peace Forums will be held during 2012-13 to engage and inspire Rotarians and community leaders to further Rotary’s peace-building efforts. The location, theme, and date for each forum are listed here for your reference, along with websites where you can find further details:
Berlin, Germany
Peace Without Borders
30 November - 2 December 2012
http://www.rotary-global-peace-forum-berlin.de/en/
Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
The Green Path to Peace
25-27 January 2013
http://www.peaceforumhawaii.com/
Hiroshima, Japan
Peace Begins with You
17-18 May 2013
http://www.info-hiroshima.co.jp/peace/index_e.html
For additional information about the peace forums, please watch a Rotary Global Peace Forums promotional video.
President Tanaka also encourages clubs to conduct their own local peace forum or a service project focused on peace this year. Accomplishing this goal will help clubs qualify for the 2012-13 Presidential Citation. Find specific ideas for club-level peace activities in the Rotary Global Peace Forums brochure.
Best regards,
Jesse Allerton
Supervisor, Rotary Service
Rotary International
rotary.service@rotary.org
As DG Vance starts his travels throughout the 10 countries that make up District 7020, all Rotarians now have great ways of following him as he visits Rotary Clubs and our islands.
You can:
1. Follow-up him on Twitter @Rotary7020DG to read his Tweets. (There is a direct link on the left of this homepage)
AND
2. To read about his visits and see pictures, please visit his blog at http://rotary7020dgvance.blogspot.com/. For a direct link to DG Vance's blog, click at the menu option on this home page titled: DG's Blog
These are some great ways to follow DG Vance's travels, learn more about the Rotary Clubs in our diverse District 7020, and share some Rotarian Fellowships!
It’s a great honor to serve as your 2012-13 RI president and represent you in Rotary. Since joining this organization in 1975, it has changed my life and given me more than I ever anticipated. I look forward to sharing some of that with you.
Through Rotary, I learned the purpose of my life wasn’t to earn more, but to help others. Through our service, we learn that the problems that may seem large to us are really very small.
I also learned that through Rotary, we could build peace. As part of the first generation to grow up in Japan after World War II, I understand the importance of peace and its connection to our well-being.
Peace can mean many things for many people, but however we understand peace, Rotary can help us achieve it. Rotary helps us meet the basic needs of health care, sanitation, food, and education. These can bring peace. In addition, we need peace as well for vaccinators to go into countries such as Afghanistan to prevent children from getting polio. It is through our work as Rotarians that we help to build the foundation for a more peaceful world.
Through service, we can bring peace. This is why our 2012-12 Rotary theme is Peace Through Service.
I wish to thank you for the confidence that you have placed in me by electing me as your District Governor for 2012 -2013. On behalf of Monica and myself, I would like to congratulate all newly elected officers at Club and District level in D7020.
Out Rotary International theme for 2012 -2013 – Peace Through Service - offers us an insight into the thinking of our RI President, Sakuji Tanaka. He has asked us to focus on peace in all the different ways that we understand it and to make service a priority. By doing this, we place the needs of others above our own and soon we begin to understand and respect each other while learning from one another. As we put Peace Through Service at the forefront of our Rotary work this year, we commit to a Rotary goal of a more peaceful world.
In District 7020, we must develop our clubs’ strategic plans and implement the various aspects with an emphasis on maintaining our strengths and improving our areas of weaknesses.
In the area of membership, we should work to increase diversification to become representative of our local communities, keep our membership engaged which will improve our attractiveness and have relevant service projects which will act as a membership retention mechanism.
For 2012 -13, I am asking all Rotarians to ensure that they contribute to The Rotary Foundation (TRF). My aim is to have zero non-contributing clubs to TRF in D7020. We can achieve this in a variety of ways but whichever way you can, please ensure that you make a meaningful contribution. When we look at the good work done through TRF, I’m sure that you will agree that D7020 has been a huge beneficiary and if this trend is to continue, then we must do our part. We must also continue to support the eradication of polio from the face of the earth.
As we follow our Rotary calendar, there will be opportunities for increased collaboration in a variety of ways to keep your club strong and vibrant and for the ultimate improvement of our various communities.
Finally, as this is the first of my monthly messages, I am asking all Presidents to ensure that your Semi Annual Returns (SAR) are completed on time and that all District and RI dues are paid up before the end of July 2012.
As Monica and I visit your clubs over the next few months, we will be exploring new options (some untraditional) of how we can work with you to support and strengthen all clubs in the District while ensuring that we enjoy great fellowship with you. Together we will Experience The Passion of Rotary, (our 2013 District Conference theme) throughout the year and in Tortola, BVI at D7020’s 39th District Conference between May 14 – 18th.
District 7020 has adopted a Strategic Plan in line with RI's Strategic Plan and is now encouraging all clubs to implement their own. This will help your club strengthen, grow and become more vibrant over the coming years.
The 2012 Conference Committee for the District 7020 welcomes all Rotarians to our website.
My name is Alain Haspil, your website host. I would like to take this opportunity to point out a few things you should do to ensure a successful registration.
1. There are 2 forms available on the website, and must be filled out. They go to different people, so please make sure you do both correctly.
First, fill out the Conference Committee form. It must be sent to 2012districtconference@gmail.com . This will ensure your Conference Registration.
Second, fill out the hotel accommodations form, which must be sent to Rotary7020@agencecitadelle.com . If Agence Citadelle does not receive its form, your accommodation reservation will not be confirmed.
So remember, fill out both forms on the website - one to the Conference Committee, and the other to Agence Citadelle.
PLEASE DO NOT MAKE ANY RESERVATION TO THE INDIVIDUAL HOTELS BUT ONLY ON THE FORM PROVIDED TO AGENCE CITADELLE OR ELSE YOUR HOTEL RESERVATION WILL NOT BE MADE.YOUR COOPERATION AND UNDERSTANDING WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED
2. Those interested in the "Jaipur" project (Rehab Project and prosthesis assembly shop, on Monday April 23, 2012), for relative information as well as travel information to Pignon: Please contact:
Adele ROMELUS <nr_adele@yahoo.com>; (509) 37026060
3. All hotels listed for the conference are along the beach and are within 10 minutes from the conference site. They all meet international standards and have Wi-Fi. For more info please visit their websites, available on the Conference site.
For your info, Hotel Indigo has a capacity of 280 rooms and is the Conference location.
4. Once you finalize your registration, you will receive a confirmation e-mail within two days. Should you not receive a confirmation e-mail, please contact:
Dominique BAZIN< nikabazin@yahoo.com>; (509) 36055924
Thank you for taking this walk with me. We wish you a successful registration, and look forward to seeing you in April!
Alain Haspil
Website Host
District 7020 Conference 2012
REGISTRATION & ACCOMODATION FOR HAITI 2012 DISTRICT7020 CONFERENCE
Do you know any youngsters with leadership potential? Want a great way to help make them tomorrow's greatest leaders? Well, here's your chance!
The Rotary Clubs of St. Andrew North, Downtown Kingston, Spanish Town, Liguanea Plains & Trafalgar New Heights will be hosting a RYLA Camp at Oberlin Conference Facility in the cool hills of St. Andrew, Jamaica from Feb 22 to 25, 2012 for young leaders aged 14 - 18 years old. With a modest registration fee of J$6,000 (US$75) which includes meals and accommodation, the event promises to be spectacular! Participants must be sponsored by a Rotary club and will be exposed to a variety of top-notch presenters while forming lasting friendships with youngsters from around the District.
Need more motivation? How about this - participation in the RYLA gets you points towards RI's Changemaker Award!
Consider sponsoring a few of your Interactors or other talented youngsters today! Registration forms and further details will be distributed in the coming week. Space is limited so don't delay!
Please share this awesome opportunity with all your club members. Have a great week!
Yours in Rotary service, Kameika Fullerton-DeLisser President 2011 - 2012 Rotary Club of St. Andrew North
Welcome everyone to this new Rotarian year!!! Presidents, Rotarians, Rotaractors of District 7020!!! I hope you all have a 2011-2012 year full of happiness, lots of Rotarian action, and much success. My salutation is addressed particularly to the Clubs Presidents, as well as all those exercising a function within our District.You are undoubtedly involved in a captivating and interesting year.
As you all know, one of the highlights of the year is the annual District Conference. This year, it will be held in Haiti, on the cote des Arcadins, in April of 2012. Your dedication and commitment is for us, an exceptional model, stimulating others and even yourselves to engage. That is what we need. KalyanBenerjee, the new Rotary International President has chosen a terrific theme for the year. He has asked us to draw from within to embrace humanity. His words, reflected in the chosen logo, remind me of a quote by well-known educator and philosopher Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi, who encouraged people to practice "head, heart and hand” in everything they do. So this Rotarian year, let's try to let our hearts speak! The best way to do this is to ensure that our District Conference is exceptional, and that from the fruitful exchanges made, extraordinary motivation and ardor will redouble our efforts to victoriously and productively complete our Rotarian year.
Thank you all for the signs of encouragement that I am already feeling. With your support, we will succeed. As the Governor visits your Club this year, you will be given the opportunity to view the promotional CD that will, we are sure, fascinate and enthrall you, thus encouraging you to complete and confirm your participation.Though registration has begun, reminders will be sent throughout the year. Keep in mind that the PETS assembly is also an opportunity to present next year’s objectives.
I am relying on all Club Presidents and Secretaries to continuously forward reminders to Club members, as they will be sent to them by email on a regular basis.
As District Governor 2011-2012, I would like to welcome you to what I hope will be a productive and participative year for all the clubs within District 7020.
We wish that we all pull together to be prepared already for the Hurricane season wich already starts this month of June up to November . Coordinate with your Disaster Releif Chairs in your different Clubs as with the Disaster Releif Chair in the District to have an harmonious and synergistic preparation to face all eventual violence of nature.. Remember that we have to be prepared for Future Vision in 2013 in our District and this year we advocate that every Club has a Future Vision Chair to be in close contact with our District Governor Nominee who is the District Future Vision Chair. A new Generation or a Youth Chair in every Club is suggested so we can prepare the future for Membership growth in our District. Always keep in mind and act to support your Rotary Foundation . Remember to prepare your SAR and be ready to be in comformity with your Due payment to both District and Rotary Internatiomal the coming begining of July. I only mention a few issues among many other tasks that we have to be prepared for while we should never forget that we are obligated to be always ready to : REACH within to EMBRACE HUMANITY. Let us go together for a joyfull ,familial , productive year 2011-2012 year.
I am taking the opportunity to reiterate that I am counting on your presence at the official installation for Governor 2011-2012, which will take place July 2, 2011, at the Karibe Convention Center in Petion-Ville Haiti at 6pm.
Kindly remember that the Pets, Assembly and Conference will be held in Haiti between April 17 and 21, 2012.
Address delivered by Past The Rotary Foundation Trustee, Carolyn Jones
at the Rotary District 7020 Conference in St. Thomas
Governor Diana, Governor John, Rotarians and guests. I
bring you greetings from your friends in District 5010, the Rotarians of
Yukon Territory, Canada; Alaska, USA and Siberia and Far East Russia.
C'est une phrase très simple : Plus Grands, Meilleurs et Plus
Performants, mais c’est un défi de taille tant pour les clubs que pour
les Rotariens. Comment pouvons-nous faire pour rendre nos clubs Plus
Grands, Meilleurs et Plus Performants ?
President Ray has also challenged us to make our clubs Bigger, Better and Bolder……
It’s a very simple phrase Bigger, Better and Bolderbut quite a
challenge to Clubs and Rotarians alike! Just how do we make our clubs
Bigger, Better and Bolder?
Inspired by the Guinness World Record-breaking book drive held during the 2008 Rotary International Convention held in Los Angeles, California, District 7020 has set its own challenge.to set a new record, and impact a generation.
Rotary Club of Kingston conveys 2009 Charlie Braham award on AG Dennis Chong. Other nominees for this years award were also honored, they include PAG Eric "Busha" Clarke, PP Dr.Lloyd Eubanks-Green and AG Haresh Ramchandani.
District 7020's own Rotary Peace and Conflict Studies Scholarship recipient, Jennifer Hutchinson from Jamaica, reports on her life changing experiences in this ground breaking program sponsored by the Rotary Foundation. Read her report on the attached link.
MARILYN BLACKHALL, President of the ROTARY CLUB OF ST. THOMAS II, has "LEAD THE WAY" by committing her Club to become the first Foundation Benefactor Club in District 7020.
It is still not too late to contribute to the Rotary Foundation if you and/or your club has not done so for this Rotary year. Should you have any questions about how to do so, please send me an email at casgirl3@mac.com and I'll walk you through the process - or find someone who can. :)
If you have ever listened to someone who has just achieved a major accomplishment- like a Nobel Peace Prize Winner, or someone being granted an Honorary Doctorate for his or her special work, he or she talks about how they honored, grateful and humbled he or she might feel. Well, looking back at the Rotary year 2012-2013, I can’t help feeling honored at the fact that Monica and I got to represent such a vibrant District at so many different events and in so many different ways. I feel grateful for the warmth we received as we visited the 83 Rotary Clubs across our 10 islands. Most of all, though, I feel humbled at the vast works of Rotary and that District 7020 continues to shine brightly in the Rotary universe.
It has been a long and busy year. When the year started out, I must admit, I felt a little daunted at the thought that we would have to visit 82 clubs in 10 countries – with visits to 80% of them requiring travel through Miami from the BVI. Most District Governors can simply get in their cars and drive around their district visiting their clubs. For us, it meant numerous flights, layovers, and lots of organization on the part of the Assistant Governors. Each trip, however, to the different islands was so unique and well planned that we couldn’t help getting excited about each trip. The clubs around our district have so many different personalities that it was great to get to know them all. We will never forget the amazing fellowships, the visits to diverse service projects, and meeting everyone. These visits have proven to me that District 7020 is one of the most vibrant districts of Rotary.
It is this vibrancy, this passion, that we have for Rotary that helps us to continue to grow in stature each year as a District. I’m especially proud to announce that we have chartered, several Rotaract, Interact and EarlyAct clubs, A Rotary Community Corps and two new Rotary clubs - including our first EClub for the District. And we have another EClub that’s on the verge of being chartered too! We have grown our membership by 2.5 percent without compromising quality and that is something we must all be proud of.
Our Public Image Outreach has been so vast this year as well. The District has utilized social media, more than ever before, to improve inter and intra District Communication. We have reached out to younger Rotarians and prospective Rotarians through Facebook, blogging and, yes, even twitter. We now have hundreds of twitter followers of the District Governor. Also, District 7020 has the honor of having more clubs receiving the 2012 -13 Zone 34 Public Image Citation than any other District in the Zone. At the outset we decided to focus on improving our Public Image this year and we succeeded.
We did not forget the Rotary Foundation either. As we prepared and trained for the transition to Future Vision, we increased our giving to the Rotary Foundation with increased giving to the Annual Fund and substantial contribution to Polio Eradication Initiative.
Our list of successes as clubs and as a District is way too long to specify here, but I wish to thank everyone for your continued Service Above Selfand for working with Monica and me to ensure that this District remains vibrant and passionate about Rotary. With all this work that we’ve done to improve and grow this year, I know our clubs are stronger for it and this makes our District stronger. We had over 500 participants at our exciting 39th District 7020 Conference, PETS, and Assembly this year in the BVI. We experienced the passion of Rotary while we built Peace Through Service. That alone is a clear sign that we are a healthy, strong, and passionate District. This is something we all must be proud of.
As we transition to a new Rotary year and a new District Governor - Jeremy Hurst, I request that you continue to be passionate about Rotary and that you Engage Rotary - Change Lives to build bigger, better and bolder clubs.
Thank you District 7020 for such a wonderful – passionate year!
A Rotary convention is a powerful thing, and a first convention is an experience you never forget. My first was in Chicago, in 1980. That was the year I was president of the Rotary Club of Yashio. I thought we should learn more about Rotary, so I asked nine other members of my club to join me, and we traveled to Chicago together. We did not know what to expect from a Rotary convention. What we found was more than any of us had imagined.
That convention showed me Rotary, and changed me forever. It gave our club something to strive for. I came to that convention as a member of a Rotary club. I left it as a Rotarian. The feeling that entered my heart in Chicago is still there today.
I am glad I will have the opportunity, as an RI president from Japan, to be part of the convention in Portugal. Portugal and Japan have a history together that began in the year 1542. This was the year that a Portuguese boat landed on a southern Japanese island. The Portuguese sailors did not plan to come to Japan. Strong winds blew their boat off course. But it was a happy accident, and the beginning of a peaceful and prosperous relationship.
In 1993, Japan and Portugal celebrated 450 years of good relations. Portugal was the first European country visited by the Japanese, in the middle of the 16th century. And the long Portuguese presence in Japan has had a lasting effect on my country.
The Portuguese found Japan by accident. But it is no accident that Lisbon has been chosen for this convention. Lisbon is A Harbor for Peace. And peace is the theme of this convention, as it has been the theme between Japan and Portugal for nearly 500 years.
As Rotarians, we work toward peace in many ways. We do it through humanitarian service. We do it through our belief in Service Above Self. And we work toward peace simply by being who we are. Every year, when we come together for a Rotary convention, we see, for a few days, the world as it could be. We see people of all colors and cultures come together. We work to build a better world.
I hope you will join me, and your fellow Rotarians, as we celebrate this year of Peace Through Service together.
From left, RI President-elect Ron Burton and wife, Jetta, Foundation Trustee Chair Wilfrid J. Wilkinson, Past RI President Luis Vicente Giay, RI President Sakuji Tanaka, RI General Secretary John Hewko, and Celia Elena Cruz de Giay at the awards banquet.
Rotary has received a silver Edison Award in recognition of the Future Vision Plan, the new grant model that enhances the scope, impact, and sustainability of humanitarian and educational projects funded by The Rotary Foundation.
Since 1987, the Edison Awards have recognized innovative new products, services and business leaders in the United States. The awards symbolize the persistence and excellence personified by Thomas Edison. Winners represent active contributors to the cause of innovation in the world.
RI President Sakuji Tanaka accepted the award during the annual Edison Awards gala held 25 April in Chicago, the city where Rotary was founded in 1905. The Future Vision Plan received top honors among funding models competing in the Lifestyle and Social Impact category. Nominee ballots were judged by a panel of more than 3,000, including members of seven associations that represent a wide range of industries and disciplines.
“This Edison Award recognizes and validates Rotary’s innovative approach to humanitarian service, as we constantly strive to improve lives and communities by addressing the world’s most pressing problems,” says Tanaka. “It is a great honor to accept such a prestigious award on behalf of Rotary’s global membership of 1.2 million men and women.”
The Edison Award coincides with the successful completion of a three-year pilot in which 100 Rotary districts in more than 70 countries tested Rotary’s new grant model.
The Future Vision Plan simplifies Rotary’s grant process, and focuses Rotarian service efforts where they will have the greatest impact. The model is innovative in combining Rotary’s volunteer base and a global reach with local resources to support sustainable, high-impact results in communities all over the world. The model funds more than US$100 million in service projects annually.
The new grant model will be implemented 1 July for Rotary clubs worldwide.
You have 3 days (Wednesday 8th May, 2013) to register if you intend to be a part of District Conference 2013 under the theme, Experience the Passion of Rotary.
We have reached our 450th registration mark for what is geared to be one of the most exciting conferences in District 7020. Please visit our website at www.rotary7020conference.com to register for the conference and to see the updates for our Family of Rotary Programme and other activities.
Please note the following for all persons attending the conference:
1. All attendees must be registered for a conference event (PETS only $150, PETS/Assembly/Conference $250 or Assembly/Conference Only $150.
2. Guest of Rotarians must be registered for Partner Program $70.
3. You can modify your registration to include a conference event UP TO AND INCLUDING WEDNESDAY MAY 8 by visiting www.rotary7020conference.com, click on 'Already Registered' and 'modify registration', entering their email address and confirmation number.
4. Registrants who have not selected conference events by Wednesday May 8 should be prepared to make selections and payment at the registration desk at Maria's by the Sea Hotel from Sunday 12 May.
5. All Registrants must update travel and hotel information in order to be collected from the airport and ferry terminals and transported to the hotels and registration. The Conference Committee will not be responsible for transportation of any Rotarian who did not indicate arrival and hotel information.
6. You must be registered for the Conference and Assembly in order to attend any events for the Conference (this includes free events). Persons who have only registered for free events and not registered for a conference event will be automatically registered for Conference and Assembly Only at a cost of $150.
7. The official dress of the conference is business casual. We do look forward to seeing those classic navy blazers however. You will also need to have formal wear for the District Governor's Ball and elegant wear for His Excellency the Governor's Reception.
8. Each country is responsible for putting together a bowling team for the "Bowl out Polio" tournament, which will be held on Wednesday evening after His Excellency the Governor's Reception.
9. We are also asking each country to bring a bottle or two of their country's aged rum for the rum tasting event on Wednesday evening after bowling.
10. Persons are asked to bring a pair of sneakers to take part in the Rotary Walk on Saturday morning at 5:30 am.
11. The Official currency of the Conference is US Dollars.
12. The Official Bank of the Conference is Scotia Bank.
13. The Official telecommunications provider of the conference is LIME.
14. The District Governor's Ball is quickly selling out so if you intend to attend you should sign up immediately.
15. Conference and luncheons are being held at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College which is away from hotels so please be prepared to purchase lunch tickets.
16. Please visit the website for details on the Family Program and ensure that your families take part in great activities while you are at Conference.
17. For further information about the Conference please visit www.rotary7020conference.com or email business.servicesbvi2013@gmail.com for registration questions and bvi2013@gmail.com for general questions about the conference.
We look forward to seeing you for the week of 13-18 May 2013 at the Rotary District Conference 2013 in the beautiful British Virgin Islands.
For the past two years, I’ve traveled extensively on various Rotary missions – in preparation for taking over as District Governor for our great district. During my travels, I’ve visited not only the 10 wonderful countries that make up District 7020, but also many other countries on Rotary business. This has given me a vast appreciation of Rotary at work throughout the world. But, it has also reinforced the pride I feel in our great District - District7020. Through my travels, I’ve not only experienced a passion for Rotary but also Experienced the Passion of Rotary.
When I chose – Experience the Passion of Rotary - as our theme for our Rotary District for the year 2012-2013, I felt that it was something that really described our District. District 7020 is a vibrant and passionate district. Every year, we continue to grow in size. We have an increasing number of New Generations Clubs. We have an amazing relationship with our growing number of Rotaractors and we also keep expanding our Interact and our EarlyAct clubs. Last month we chartered a new Rotary Club in Haiti – the Rotary Club of Milot and we currently are grooming two Provisional Rotary E-Clubs. Our projects are dynamic and diversified; and when we fellowship - which we do VERY often – we really know how to fellowship. All these aspects are factors that help to make our district more vibrant and passionate. Don’t you agree?
Now, it might seem like we’re “blowing our own horn” here, but can you deny that you’ve not Experienced the Passion of Rotary in our service projects - our lively weekly meetings and/or during at least one of our fellowships? Also, as our year is quickly coming to an end, now is the time for us to “toot our own horn”. We’ve all worked really hard to contribute to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) - to End Polio Now - to help advance Literacy in our communities - to improve and promote healthy lifestyles with health fairs, etc. It’s been a fun time, but it’s been hard work. And we need to celebrate all our accomplishments. And that’s what District Conference is here to help us do.
The first part of the conference is focused on the Presidents-Elect and Secretary-Elect training so that they can plan and be organized for another exciting and successful Rotary year. The remainder of the conference though, is to celebrate - to continue to Experience the Passion of Rotary by recognizing all our good works, to honor those clubs that have truly excelled – and those individuals who have given of their time, talents and treasures and also to provide excellent opportunities to fellowship and share our experiences of the past year.
David Archer and the BVI District Conference team along with the District 7020 Training team have put together a fabulous week of learning and fellowship. The British Virgin Islands is prepared and anxiously awaiting your arrival with arms wide open to welcome you and showcase Nature’s Little Secrets. If you still have not registered for this year’s District Conference – Register Now! Let’s take this month of May to really show how great Rotary is and to be truly passionate about what we do!
The Rotary Club of Kingston's BACK2LIFE project in conjunction with Jamaica Public Service Co. Ltd is hosting a public forum on a subject that is becoming of increasing concern; namely the rate at which some boys are becoming disenfranchised - leading to poor school performance or dropping out altogether, anti-social and sometimes even violent behaviour.
Why are girls outperforming boys in academics? Why are some boys seeming to withdraw and no matter what you do you cannot seem to reach them? Why is anger so quick to flare and peer pressure so powerful? The public forum will address these issues, help us to understand their causes and, through discussion, will hopefully help us to find constructive and positive ways to address them.
Leading Anthropologist (Social Violence) Dr. Herbert Gayle, UWI Lecturer in Psychology, Sociology & Social Work, will lead us through an expose that will inform, enlighten and maybe frighten, but will guide us to a collective understanding that may raise the bar of our expectations and ask each of us to reach inside of ourselves for a greater resolve to understand, empathize and ultimately think and behave differently. The evening promises to be riveting!
The forum is for everyone who has an interest in raising a psychologically healthy male population that is able to contribute positively to our collective well-being, and especially targets parents & guardians of boys, teachers, mentors, professionals involved in criminal justice system, boy scout & youth club leaders & students.
** This story is taken from the Eleutheran: http://www.eleutheranews.com
Newly Chartered members of the CEHS Interact Club with District Superintendent for Education, Helen Simmons-Johnson (front left), Rotary Club of Eleuthera President, Jacqueline Gibson (front center), and Assistant District Governor, Stanford Charlton (front right).
The Rotary Club of Eleuthera celebrated with two of its youngest clubs on the island on Thursday, March 21, 2013, as they received their official certificates of Charter directly from Assistant District Governor (ADG) Mr. Stanford Charlton – who made a special trip to Eleuthera to share in these auspicious events.
At 2:30pm, a group of 20 students from the Deep Creek Middle School, now the island’s first EarlyAct Club, received their official charter and club pins. Club advisor and school Principal, Joanna Paul was lauded for her efforts with her enthusiastic group of youngsters.
Later on Thursday evening the Rotary Club of Eleuthera, hosted the Interact Club - based at the Central Eleuthera High School – to a dinner function in celebration of receiving their official certificate of Charter and pins as well. The Interact Club, which began with high school student President, Kenique Pinder in 2010, has grown since then, and presently boasts a membership of 46 students led by current President, Tiara Bethel.
According to Bethel, her club has been quite active during the past year, with a number of fundraisers, as well as projects, with the latest being the painting/striping of the main parking lot at the Central Eleuthera High School on March 9th.
Jacqueline Gibson, President of the Rotary Club of Eleuthera highlighted that her club has been busy in March, welcoming new and transferred members, working with Rotaract, Interact and Earlyact clubs, as well as spending time with their adopted School for Exceptional learners, where they’ve now established a story reading time, lunch sponsorships and fresh air yoga classes.
District Superintendent Helen Simmons-Johnson congratulates the newly chartered members of the CEHS Interact Club.
Eleuthera EarlyAct and Interact Clubs receive official certificates of Charter from ADG Stanford Chalton.
Rotary’s 108th anniversary on 23 February marks a year of both achievements in the fight to eradicate polio and a stepped-up commitment to finish the job.
Worldwide, 222 polio cases were reported in 2012, a little more than one-third of the 650 cases reported in 2011. India marked its second year without polio on 13 January. Overall, the annual incidence of polio has decreased more than 99 percent since the Global Polio Eradication Initiative was launched in 1988. Then polio infected about 350,000 children per year.
Although the wild poliovirus is now endemic only in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Nigeria, it could spread from there back to other countries.
Among Rotary’s chief responsibilities in the eradication initiative is advocacy, an increasingly important element of this latter stage of the effort. In addition to contributing more than US$1 billion to the GPEI, Rotary has helped secure over $9 billion from donor governments since the initiative began in 1988. Rotary is boosting its advocacy work in the 200 countries and regions where Rotary clubs exist to encourage every national government to help meet a $700 million shortfall (as of 1 February) in funding the GPEI through 2013.
Rotarians in Canada, for example, have used letter-writing campaigns to persuade members of Parliament to support polio eradication. In August 2012, Rotary Foundation Trustee Chair and Past RI President Wilfrid Wilkinson and International PolioPlus Committee Chair Robert Scott, both Canadians, took the lead by writing Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Every Rotarian in the country received a copy of the letter and another that asked them to contact their own members of parliament.
Within three days, Wilkinson heard back from Rotarians who had conveyed the message to the prime minister or friends serving in other government positions.
In September, the Canadian government announced the Pennies and More for Polio initiative at a high-level side meeting on polio eradication during the United Nations General Assembly. Through the initiative, which runs until 1 March, the Canadian International Development Agency and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation are each contributing C$1 to the GPEI for every dollar raised by Canadian Rotarians, up to $1 million. By the end of December, Rotarians had already exceeded the $1 million potential match, with the combined effort generating more than $3 million for the GPEI.
“The fundraising by Rotarians allows them to ask for support from the public at large,” says Wilkinson. “The fact that the government of Canada and the Gates Foundation are behind Rotary’s polio eradication effort is a big plus and helps our overall awareness efforts.”
Canadian Rotarians are also inviting their parliamentary representatives to Rotary club meetings leading up to Rotary’s anniversary. Rotarians everywhere can join the advocacy effort by talking to their elected officials, business leaders, and friends about polio eradication. Here are three ideas for making effective contacts:
Share articles about polio eradication, like those on the Rotary Media Center, that draw attention to Rotary’s role and the need for support.
Use the graphics available at www.endpolionow.org to show the importance of ending polio.
Invite an elected official to speak to your Rotary club and use the event to highlight Rotary’s commitment to ending polio. Give the speaker a polio-related gift, such as an End Polio Now pin or a framed photo of a child being immunized, and a certificate announcing that a contribution to PolioPlus has been made in the speaker’s name.
“You have been given the greatest opportunity in history to end this disease,” said Bruce Aylward, assistant director-general for Polio, Emergencies and Country Collaboration at the World Health Organization, speaking at Rotary’s International Assembly in January. “We can only finish with Rotary's leadership.”
The Zone 34 Peace Symposium is being held this Saturdya February 23rd in Atlanta. They have an amazing program planned. All who can, are encouraged to attend.
Zone 34 Peace Symposium 2012-2013- Rotarians are Encouraged to Attend
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards – RYLA Conference opened
With the participation of 124 Intercators and other Youth Leaders, RYLA was declared open last Thursday Evening by Assistant District 7020 Governor James Ferris. Prime Minister Sarah Wescot Williams, Minister Silveria Jacobs and District Governor Vance Lewis offered the young leaders words of welcome and encouragement before wishing them a successful conference on St. Maarten. The evening continued after the formalities with dinner and followed by a dynamic presentation by Psychologist Ms. Giselle Hilliman who spoke on the topic of “Understanding Different Behavioral Styles.
Gisella S. Hilliman, MA is a multi-talented young professional, and one of St Maarten's rising young leaders. Gisella holds a bachelors degree in Psychology from Temple University, in Philadelphia Pennsylvania and a Masters degree from the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology, in Boston, Massachusetts. Her presentation engaged the participants to seriously evaluate their own personalities and those around them in an attempt to recognize how they themselves and others would react to a particular situation. The topic which set the tone for the rest of the conference which bears the theme “leadership and Peace through cultural diversity” was followed by an Ice Breaking Activity which built on the dinner theme. David McGregor Director and Trainer of TDC truly broke the ice as participants from Anguilla, St. Kitts, Tortola, Jamaica and St. Maarten took part in an exercise which challenged them to not look at each other in the eyes and remember as many as 20 names, of persons they had never met before, within 20 minutes. The challenge of not looking each other in the eyes failed terribly as clearly in our culture this is not customary. As for remembering names, based on an honor system the winner of this exercise was victorious with claiming to have remembered 18 names. Before lights out on the first night a final treat of ice cream was given as the following morning at 6:30 Patti Panthophlet would set the pace for the day with Zumba.
The Youth conference which is taking place at the MAC school in St. John’s Estate will end on Sunday afternoon. The varied topics discussed will be facilitated at the University of St. Maarten and at the MAC school.
For more on RYLA 2013 go to www.rotarysxm.org and our facebook page.
Rotary Club of St. Maarten Inducts two new members
District Governor 7020 Vance Lewis conducts ceremony
The Rotary Club of St. Maarten has two new members that where inducted during the lunch meeting on Wednesday February 13th at Divi Little Bay. Here for the opening of RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) DG Vance Lewis was on hand from Tortola, to conduct the induction ceremony assisted in the pinning ceremony by the Honorable Governor Eugene Holiday who was a member of this club and is currently a Honorary member.
Joining Rotary are Debbie Biscontini and Geeta Usha Khatnani. Debbie Biscontini has a PhD in Economics and taught economics for much of her career, her classification within Rotary is Economist. Mrs. Bisconiti is also a volunteer Treasurer with the Dawn Beach Estate Lots Foundation.
Geeta "Ushi" Khatnani is the owner and manager of Mr Tablecloth and has joined the Rotary Club of St. Maarten under the classification of Retail.Ushi has been on the island since 1980 and lives with her husband Pishu and has 2 children and is has been a member of the Indian Merchants Association. Both new Rotarians have already demonstrated their involvement in community service within and without the Rotary organization. Recently inducted Rotarian of the Mid Isle Club Veronica Jansen Webster joined the other new members in the ceremony.
The opportunity was also taken by chairman of the RYLA Task Force Mr. James Ferris to present the the RYLA program to District Governor Vance Lewis.
Rotary Club of St. Maarten Inducts two new members
President Ger-Dwina Browne assisted by Secretary Rainer Ranis, Treasurer Ikmareka Hunt and Community Director Catherine de Windt organized a recruitment drive on Friday last at Carl & Sons.
Students of MPC who where identified as having leadership potential were invited and provided with a power point presentation in which information was shared of what Interact is all about and the Community Service, fundraising activities and fellowship that the Milton Peters College Interact club has been involved in over the past 3 years.
Interact is Rotary International’s service club for young people ages 12 to 18. Interact clubs are sponsored by individual Rotary clubs, which provide support and guidance, but they are self-governing and self-supporting. The MPC, St. Maarten Academy and Learning Unlimited Interact Clubs are sponsored by The Rotary Club of St. Maarten, while the St. Dominic High School Club is sponsored by St. Maarten Mid Isle Rotary Club. Club membership varies greatly. Clubs can be single gender or mixed, large or small. They can draw from the student body of a single school or from two or more schools in the same community.
Each year, Interact clubs complete at least two community service projects, one of which furthers international understanding and goodwill. Through these efforts, Interactors develop a network of friendships with local and overseas clubs and learn the importance of , leadership skills and personal integrity, being helpful and respectful to others taking on individual responsibility as well as hard work and understanding that all this and goodwill goes beyond the local geographical boarders.
As one of the most significant and fastest-growing programs of Rotary service, with more than 10,700 clubs in 109 countries and geographical areas, Interact has become a worldwide phenomenon. Almost 200,000 young people are involved in Interact.The recruitment drive resulted in 23 students of the Milton Peters College signing up to be Interactors. The official ceremony will be organized shortly. Anyone interested in joining an Interact Club should contact any member of the Rotary Family for more information.
MPC Interact Club hosts successful recruitment drive
Zone 34 has organized its first Peace Symposium in Atlanta in honor of Rotary International President Tanaka’s theme, Peace Through Service. This symposium will be at the Renaissance Concourse Atlanta Airport Hotel, One Hartsfield Centre Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30354 on Saturday, February 23, 2013, from 8am – 3:00pm.
A very exciting program has been arranged by Co-Chairs Margie Kersey (District 6900) and PDG Betsy Owen (District 6930). Among the events will be a "peace dance” performed by an African American troupe, Interact and Rotaract Clubs presenting their prize winning projects, and a video displaying the peace projects of the clubs of Zone 34. Our presenters will be Peter Kyle speaking on Partners and Peace”, Dr. Abidemi Fasanmifrom Nigeria, speaking on "Gender Equality and Peace”, Jay Hakes speaking on "Energy Sources and Peace, and Wes Boughner speaking on projects clubs might accomplish for peace. Along with many other fun activities a peace pole will be planted to welcome visitors to the 2017 Rotary International Convention to symbolize our present and future commitment to the peace initiative.
If any of your New Generations groups (Interact or Rotaract) or clubs would like to help make origami cranes for the event, we will be happy to accept them if mailed to arrive by February 18. Instructions are attached. Please mail finished cranes to Christine Barrett – 3591 Montana Rd., Buford, Ga 30519, 865-293-2401. If your New Generations groups are sending in their Peace Projects, please send them by February 8 to Rich Panyik – 227 Chandler Walk, Loganville, GA 30052, ripanyik@bellsouth.net.
If any of your clubs have pictures of their peace projects for the slide show, please (by February 8) mail them or email them to Margie Kersey – PO Box 464381, Lawrenceville, GA 30042,404-680-7336, Margie@callkbs.com.
We are asking you or your appointee to work with the committee to ensure that there is a big contingency from your district in attendance. We are looking forward to seeing everyone in Atlanta on February 23 to join in the festivities to celebrate Peace Through Service. Registration information is attached to this email or http://www.IsMyRotaryClub.org/Register/GuestMemberExternal.cfm?EventID=77199599 will work. Be sure and mention "Rotary District” when making your reservations at the hotel to receive the discount rooms of $89.00. You can also register through your Dacdb under the date under on the calendar tab. See you there!
The Four Rotary Clubs on St. Maarten/Saint Martin are planning one of the largest Youth conferences St. Maarten has hosted for the second time called RYLA. Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is Rotary's leadership training program for young people. RYLA participants can be ages 14-30, but most clubs and districts choose to focus on a narrower age range, such as 14-18 or 19-30.
RYLA emphasizes leadership, citizenship, and personal growth, and aims to demonstrate Rotary's respect and concern for the youth, provide an effective training experience for selected youth and potential leaders, encourage leadership of youth by youth and recognize publicly young people who are rendering service to their communities.
The St Maarten/St Martin hosted RYLA will take place February 14-17, 2013.
The conference will target persons between the ages 14-17 years old from 10 countries in the Caribbean. In addition to Intercators from St. Maarten and Saint Martin, participants are expected to come from Haiti, Jamaica, St. Kitts & Nevis, Us Virgin Islands, Bahamas, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Island, Turks & Caicos and Anguilla.
Between seventy and one hundred and twenty participants are expected to attend the conference and preparations are in full swing.
Intercators on St. Maarten/Saint Martin are making their preparations for the Valentine’s weekend during which the 3 day conference will be held. The conference is being made possible through the generosity of sponsors such as CIBC, Nagico, Sol and Russell Bell Transportation.
In addition to being fun filled and an opportunity to make new friends the young leaders will be brushing up on their leadership skills such as listening and feedback. Effective public speaking, conflict resolution, dealing with bullying in an assertive but non aggressive way and much more are on the agenda. But it’s not only the leadership skills that will be polished, also team-building, culture and challenge exercises as well as community services projects are part of this grand event. The evenings are filled with more relaxing yet exiting activities which will put vocal cords and dancing skills to the test.
More details about RYLA and Interact Clubs can be found on www.rotary.org. Details such as registration for the St. Maarten/Saint Martin 2013 RYLA can be found on www.rotarysxm.org.
Rotary Awareness Month (January 2013) Leadership and Peace through Cultural Diversity
Rotary celebrates Literacy during the month of March. In District 7020, we also celebrate March as Emphases Month, where we can highlight some of our many service projects that focus on clean water, literacy, and health and hunger.
Clubs throughout the ten islands of our district donate to clean water projects, assist with feeding programs in schools and shelters, host health clinics and the list continues. What makes me especially proud of our district, though, are the hands-on, time consuming projects that we invest in as Rotarians. So many clubs have taken to visiting schools to read to students on either a bi-monthly or monthly basis or some have homework assistance programs. These projects get Rotarians even more involved in the community. I see this as I visit the various clubs. As we walk into a Rotary adopted or sponsored school, the children rush to us, knowing Rotarians by names, excited about yet another visit. It is just one of the many times when I am proud to be a Rotarian.
I would love to be able to give you exact numbers and statistics of how many literacy and water projects and feeding programs clubs in District 7020 organize each year. I know that it is substantial. Unfortunately, we have never been good at keeping track of what every club does every year. We need to improve on this aspect of our Rotary projects. We need to keep numbers to show the world how amazing Rotary truly is. All we need to do is go to Member Access at www.Rotary.org and click on Rotary Club Central. Here Presidents and Club leaders can take a few minutes to list what their clubs have been doing for the year. Think about it! If each of our 34,000 clubs in over 200 countries listed all that we do each year as Rotarians, wouldn’t that tell the world how truly important Rotary is - how important it is for someone with the same ideals to become a Rotarian?
Please go now to visit Rotary Club Central. Encourage your President and Club Leaders to enter in the information about your club and its service projects.
And while we are telling the world about our amazing work, let us not be afraid to celebrate what we have done. The deadline for the Zone Public Image Citation has been set for the 15th March and the District Literacy Award deadline was extended to March 17th. Please also encourage your Club President to apply for the RI Presidential Citation (Deadline is March 31st) , the District Governor’s Award for Excellence (Deadline is April 15th), and the Rotaract and Interact Club Presidential Citation (Deadline March 31st). Let us also not forget that the final Club of the Month submission is due on April 5th.
Rotarians work hard juggling work demands, Rotary Service and home demands. And we celebrate harder too. Fellowship is inherent in the first object of Rotary. So if you have not registered yet for the PETS, District Assembly & District Conference 2013 in the British Virgin Islands, please go and do so right away. The BVI is excited to welcome Rotarians to Nature’s Little Secret. Please go to www.rotary7020conference.com and register now. I promise you, you will Experience the Passion of Rotary like never before in the BVI.
Happy New Year District 7020! We are only five months away from the 2013 District Conference to be held in the British Virgin Islands, May 13-18, 2013. As Conference Chairman, I would like to use this opportunity to express our excitement for the conference ahead, under the theme, "Experience the Passion of Rotary".
Congratulations and thanks to those who have already registered. If you have not, you are invited to visit our Conference website at www.rotary7020conference.com or the District 7020 Website at www.7020.org to obtain further information on the Conference and, most importantly, to be included amongst the hundreds we anticipate will be visiting the beautiful shores of the British Virgin Islands to take part in the Conference.
Both websites will take you through a step by step process to register and will also provide an opportunity to submit any questions you might have regarding the Conference. For countries in our District that will need BVI Visas such as Haiti and Jamaica, we have simplified the process for you as follows:
1. Register for the Conference.
2. Email a scanned copy of your passport fact page which details your passport number and other issuing facts such as the place where your passport was issued, its expiration date and your photo to bvi2013@gmail.com Attention: District Conference 2012-2013 Secretary, Laura Arthur.
3. All persons requiring Visas should register and submit Visa request not later than February 28, 2013. We suggest that persons who require Visas register and send passport information as a group.
4. After your Visa has been processed we will email you a copy of the Visa.
5. Present Visa copy to airline agent when traveling to the BVI.
6. For Haitian Rotarians your point of contact in Haiti is PAG Caleb Lucien. Please email him at celucien@aol.com. PAG Caleb will also be coordinating travel for Haitian Rotarians coming to the Conference.
We have planned an amazing conference for you rooted in providing new and exciting Rotary information and learning, excellent fellowship and exposure to the beautiful British Virgin Islands. Should you have any questions about Conference Registration, please email business.servicesbvi2013@gmail.com. For general questions about the Conference please email bvi2013@gmail.com.
I am a Japanese businessman, and I wear a suit almost every day. The Rotary pin is always on my lapel. It is there because I am proud to be a Rotarian. Anywhere I go, people will see the pin and know who I am. Other Rotarians will see it and know that I am a friend, and people who are not Rotarians will see it as well. I want to be sure that all of them also understand the meaning of this pin.
This is why I am asking all of you to wear your Rotary pin and to raise awareness of what the pin means. I believe having that pin on your lapel changes you. It makes you think more before you speak and before you act. It makes you remember, all the time, that you are a Rotarian – and that as Rotarians, we are here to help.
All of us should be ready to talk about Rotary. When someone asks you about that pin, you should be ready to answer them. What is Rotary? What does Rotary do? These are questions that each of us should always be prepared to answer.
We cannot go to prospective members and ask them to join Rotary only because we want more members. We have to show them that Rotary is a wonderful organization, and that they will be happier because they belong to a Rotary club.
When we ask people to join Rotary, we are doing this to help them as well. I think all of us are grateful to the person who asked us to join. I know that my life is much happier, and has been much more productive, because of Rotary. It is clear to me that the day I joined the Rotary Club of Yashio was a day when I took my first step down a different path in life – a path of greater connection, greater satisfaction, and a deeper sense of fulfillment and peace.
This is a feeling that I want to share with others. And I know that one way to do that is through bringing in new members. But we must also do it by raising awareness of Rotary and Rotary’s work, by focusing on our public image and wearing our Rotary pins every day.
Sakuji Tanaka
President, Rotary International
Join the President in wearing your Rotary pin during Rotary Awareness Month in January
The year 2012 is nearly gone, and we have reached the midpoint of this Rotary year. It is time to take stock of the goals we have set for ourselves, and the progress we have made toward them. Are we on track to achieve what we set out to accomplish?
I am a great believer in the importance of setting goals that are high but realistic. A worthwhile goal should be within your reach but still require you to stretch. Opening yourself to a new challenge helps you find out what you are really capable of – which may well be more than you think.
On 1 July, we will embark on our newest challenge as an organization: the full rollout of the Future Vision Plan, the new grant model for our Rotary Foundation. We in Rotary have set for ourselves a simple and vital goal: to do the most good we can with all the resources we have. To do this, we will be working to reduce overhead; to improve accountability, transparency, and local control; and to focus our service more intensely in the areas where we know we can have the most impact.
With Future Vision, we will implement a simplified grant structure that will encourage Rotarians to serve in our six areas of focus: peace and conflict prevention/resolution, disease prevention and treatment, water and sanitation, maternal and child health, basic education and literacy, and economic and community development. These are areas in which Rotarians around the world have already been working for many years, and in which we have experience and a track record of project sustainability.
Sustainability will be a major focus under Future Vision, as we shift our emphasis to long-term, high-impact projects. Simply put, a sustainable project is one that will continue to benefit the world even after Rotary funding ends. The ultimate example of a sustainable project, of course, is polio eradication: When polio is gone, the good that we have done will continue forever, centuries after the last polio vaccine is given. And the lessons we have learned from PolioPlus are universal. A truly sustainable project requires an emphasis on planning and cooperation, a long-term perspective, and an approach that considers community members as partners in our service, not passive recipients.
Embracing Future Vision means embracing a more ambitious view of Rotary – one in which we work to address major issues in a serious, lasting way. It is a new way of thinking about our service, and an approach that I believe will lead to a Foundation more capable than ever of Doing Good in the World.
As a year end holiday gift, United Airlines is again offering a donation of 10 million miles to benefit charity miles partners.
Rotary has been United's partner for many years through the "Rotary Miles" program, which has provided free airfare for hundreds of children and adults in need of lifesaving surgery and other worthy causes.
From 6 December to 25 December, you can vote once each day for Rotary on each of your devices such as laptop, smartphone, tablet, etc. Charities receive a portion of the miles based on the percentage of the overall vote they receive. So forward the link http://10millioncharitymiles.com/ to everyone you know. Last year, we took second in the contest, receiving 2.5 million charity miles. Your vote could help Rotary come in first this year in the 10 Million Charity Miles Giveaway!
Vote for Rotary in United's 10 million miles giveaway
A very exciting preliminary program has been arranged by Co-Chairs PDG Betsy Owen (District 6930) and Margie Kersey (District 6900).
Among the events will be
• talks by a Peace Fellow and other peace speakers
• a "peace dance” performed by an African American troupe
• Interact and Rotaract Clubs presenting their peace projects
• a video displaying the peace projects of the clubs of Zone 34
We will be planting a peace pole - which will welcome the visitors to the 2017 Rotary International Convention at the Atlanta Airport to symbolize our present and future commitment to the peace initiative.
The Symposium committee will be planning the details. We are asking you or your appointee to work with the committee to ensure that there is a big contingency from your district in attendance. We are looking forward to seeing you and your District’s members in Atlanta on February 23 to join in the festivities to celebrate Peace Through Service.
Registration information will be forthcoming from Betsy and Margie soon.
Hard to imagine that months of preparations have flew by so fast, and in just a few days the 2012 GSE Team from Rotary District 7020 will be on their way to India, District 3260.
I’m grateful for the opportunity to lead this GSE team who have worked hard to ensure that they will be good ambassadors of our District. We depart December 1 and return on December 31, 2012.
Here is the blog address: http://gseindia2012.wordpress.com
Keep tuning into this blog for updates on this great program of The Rotary Foundation.
- PAG Haresh L. Ramchandani, Team Leader
hramchandani@hotmail.com
Top: The Rotary Club of Melbourne, Florida, sponsored the first Interact Club, chartered at Melbourne High School, in 1962. Rotarians and Interactors (center) pose for a picture. Bottom: A recreation of the photo with current Interactors and members of the sponsoring Rotary club. Photo courtesy of Rotary Club of Melbourne.
The very first Interact club, formed at Melbourne High School in Melbourne, Florida, USA, is joining Interact clubs and their sponsors around the globe in celebrating the program’s 50th anniversary during World Interact Week, 5-11 November.
The Melbourne club received its charter in November 1962, under the guidance and sponsorship of the Rotary Club of Melbourne, Florida, USA. In celebration of the golden anniversary, charter members of the club joined current Interactors and Rotarians from District 6930 for a night of reflection and fellowship.
“What makes Rotary great is what makes Interact great,” says Michael Welch, president of the Rotary Club of Melbourne, who helped plan the anniversary event. “For a person -- especially a young person, an Interactor -- to appreciate the concept of Service Above Self, and then put it to work on their own time, it’s a special experience that can change a lot of lives.”
As part of the celebration, Melbourne Interactors gave a presentation on the history of Interact. District Governor-nominee Juan Ortega explained how his experiences with Interact in Colombia led him to join Rotary.
The present-day Interactors and their sponsors also re-created an iconic photo of their club that appeared in The Rotarian in 1962.
Texas Interactors
The Interact Club of Robert E. Lee High School in Baytown, Texas, USA, which was chartered just months after the club in Melbourne, is celebrating the anniversary with various events, including a roundup on 15 September that was attended by more than 320 Interactors from across District 5890.
The Texas Interactors created a video showing photos and projects from the past five decades, in addition to networking with fellow Interactors and Rotarians. The Interactors and the Rotary Club of Baytown, which sponsors the club, presented two cakes, one to mark their club’s anniversary and the other for the Interact program.
The celebrations continued 27 September as RI President Sakuji Tanaka spoke at an all-club meeting held by the district. Garrett Kneese, a district Interact leader, discussed the importance of Interact and Rotary.
The Interactors are also conducting service projects to mark the anniversary. District Interactors went door-to-door with their Rotary sponsors on 31 October collecting nonperishable food for the district’s Interact Hungry Harvest program. The club set a goal of donating 3,000 cans to local food pantries and issued a challenge to other Interact clubs to match their efforts.
As an ongoing service project, the Interactors sort and pack used textbooks for Rotary Books for the World, a literacy project that collects reading and writing materials for schools in the developing world.
Tommie Buscemi, a member of the Rotary Club of Kingwood, Texas, USA, and cochair of the district’s Interact committee, says she’s seen how Interact has benefited its members by showing them how valuable they are to their community. “They’re the future of our country and the future of Rotary,” she says. “The program rewards them for being great leaders. They step up and do what’s important.”
Buscemi adds that Rotary clubs can also benefit by working with Interactors. “They inspire Rotarians to look at things differently,” she says. “They’re teaching us, through social media, how we can change the way we’re doing things and how we can make a bigger impact.”
Other celebrations
In San Antonio, Texas, District 5840 is holding its third annual New Generations Interact Conference at The Winston School San Antonio on 10 November. Tom Thorfinnson, a past RI director and vice president, will be the keynote speaker.
Five Interact clubs are working with Habitat for Humanity on a building project in January, and 12 Interact clubs are raising money for wells in Honduras. Interactors are holding fundraisers, including a golf tournament and a 5K run, in an attempt to raise US$11,500. The district has also created pins commemorating the 50th anniversary for Interactors.
You can celebrate the 50th anniversary by:
Entering a short video in our annual Interact video contest. Interact clubs may choose one of three themes related to the 50th anniversary.
Promoting Peace Through Service by designing a postcard to illustrate how Interact contributes to peace and understanding. One winning Interactor and his or her parent will receive round-trip airfare on United Airlines to attend one of the three upcoming Rotary Global Peace Forums, to be determined by Rotary International. Read the complete rules and guidelines.
Challenging your club to hold an event or each Interactor to raise US$50 for Rotary’s fight to eradicate polio.
Organizing a project that involves 50 positive actions in one of Rotary’s areas of focus. Examples include donating 50 books to support basic education and literacy or organizing a community forum with 50 young people.
Sharing photos of your club’s World Interact Week activities on the Interact Facebook page.
Interact clubs celebrate the program’s golden anniversary
"FREEPORT , Grand Bahama -- Rotarians on Grand Bahama came together during Hurricane Sandy with the activation of the emergency Rotary Water Plant from October 24-28, 2012. Commissioned after the devastating hurricanes of Frances and Jeanne in 2004, the plant provides potable drinking water to residents during times when serious weather impacts the local supply.
Rotarians activated the plant's RO machine in advance of Hurricane Sandy, putting about 5,000 gallons of water in the tank. Sandy impacted Grand Bahama for much of Friday and into the evening and early hours of Saturday.
The plant was re-activated early Saturday morning and Rotary volunteers began to assemble to help. They were put to work sanitizing and filling the nearly 500 one-gallon jugs which had been collected and stored in the plant throughout the year.
On Saturday, between the hours of 10:00am and 7:00pm, Rotarians estimate they gave away approximately 3,600 gallons of water to persons who came to the plant either with their own jugs or took those which they had to give them. In addition, they sent two tank trailers (275 gallons each) with Rotarian Peter Turnquest to be taken to East End Grand Bahama once the water subsided. The Grand Bahama Fire Brigade also made two trips with 55 gallon drums to flush toilets at some of the old folks homes on the island.
By Sunday morning most of Freeport had city water trickling through the pipes, however certain pockets did not, including East End, from the old missile base,
the entire settlement of Eight Mile Rock, and West End. Parts of East End are still without water mid-week post-Sandy.
Rotarians met again at the plant on Sunday and gave away an additional estimated 1,500 to 2,000 gallons of water.
The Rotary water plant crew would like to credit ZNS northern service radio for broadcasting their announcements about the water plant being open and for the station's continuous storm coverage. All the Rotary volunteers who assisted with the emergency water plant project were pleased the plant performed flawlessly and that they were able to continue Rotary's motto - Service Above Self - and help many persons in the community in a meaningful way.
The Grand Bahama Emergency Water Relief Foundation (The Rotary Water Plant) was envisioned by the TK Foundation who saw Rotary as the perfect partner and commissioned a joint project involving Rotary Districts 5280 - Los Angeles, CA; 7020 - Nassau and the Caribbean; and 6990 - Grand Bahama and South Florida; with assistance from the Rotary Foundation, and numerous corporate sponsors. - (press release written by PP Mike Stafford of the Freeport, Grand Bahama Rotary Club, D6990)
The Rotary Foundation is Doing Good in The World - please support it
Lindsey Cancino
District 7020 DRFC
Rotarians on Grand Bahama activate Rotary Water Plant
There are many ways to describe our Rotary Foundation. But I think of our Foundation literally – as the foundation for all of Rotary.
We do not often think about the ground beneath our feet. We do not often think about the walls that are holding up our house. We take them for granted. We think about them only when they are not there.
Not long ago in Japan, the ground fell out from under our feet. On Friday, 11 March 2011, a magnitude 9 earthquake shook Japan to its very core. More than 15,000 people died, nearly 6,000 were injured, and another 4,000 are still missing. The total losses of the disaster are estimated at over US$300 billion.
In a matter of hours, half a million people in one of the world’s wealthiest and most developed countries lost everything. They went from living in comfort and security to facing an uncertain future in school gymnasiums, tents, and ruined buildings.
In Japan, we are used to earthquakes. We thought we were ready for anything. But no one ever expected anything like this.
What happened on that day changed Japan, and everyone who lives there. It has made us realize how fragile our lives are. And it has made me realize how little separates me from the people I help through Rotary.
It is easy to look at the people we help through our Foundation as somehow different from ourselves. They live far away. We do not know their language or their culture. We do not know what it is like to have no running water, no sanitation, no health care, no education. We look at pictures, and we read stories in the news about poverty, wars, and disasters. We see, from so far away, the people who are living through such terrible times. But it is hard to put ourselves in their place.
Today, I tell you that there is nothing at all separating us from the people we help. We are all the same. Only the circumstances surrounding us are different.
Through our Foundation, we have the power to live the words of our Foundation’s motto: Doing Good in the World. Through it, we can do so much more good than we could ever do alone. And it matters so much – to people just like us.
On World Polio Day, 24 October, people around the globe will participate in the World’s Biggest Commercial, promoting the international effort to eradicate the devastating disease.
The innovative, interactive online initiative gives everyone a chance to join Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Bill Gates, Jackie Chan, Angelique Kidjo, and other world figures and celebrities who have already joined in Rotary’s This Close campaign in support of polio eradication. Participants can upload photos of themselves to Rotary’s polio eradication website, endpolionow.org, to be edited into the constantly expanding promotional spot. They receive an email with a direct link to their image and comment within the commercial.
Rotary is also releasing End Polio Now, an eclectic album of songs performed by its celebrity polio eradication ambassadors from the music industry. The lineup includes several polio survivors: violin virtuoso Itzhak Perlman, folk rock musician Donovan, and Staff Benda Bilili, a Congolese soukous band scheduled to launch its U.S. tour in Los Angeles on World Polio Day. The End Polio Now album is available for download on iTunes, and soon as a CD from shop.rotary.org, with all proceeds from sales going to PolioPlus.
Coinciding with World Polio Day, Rotary is ramping up its advocacy work in the 200 countries and regions where Rotary clubs exist to encourage every national government to commit to help meet a $700 million funding shortfall for the Global Polio Eradication Initiative through 2013.
Although new polio cases are at an all-time low -- there were fewer than 180 worldwide in 2012 as of 16 October -- the funding gap has already curtailed scheduled immunization activities in polio-affected countries. If eradication fails and polio rebounds, up to 200,000 children per year could be paralyzed.
“Governments need to step up and honor their commitments to polio eradication if we are to achieve our goal of a polio-free world,” says Wilfrid J. Wilkinson, chair of The Rotary Foundation. “We are at a true tipping point, with success never closer than it is right now. We must seize the advantage by acting immediately, or risk breaking our pledge to the world’s children.”
Here are other ways you can support the global effort to eradicate polio:
Upload your photo for the World's Biggest Commercial.
Lend your voice to advocacy efforts by signing the petition on endpolionow.org.
Begin planning an End Polio Now lighting to celebrate Rotary’s anniversary on 23 February.
Contribute now to end polio.
On World Polio Day, join the World’s Biggest Commercial
Many of you know that we now have five Avenues of Service in Rotary. The fifth, and newest, is New Generations Service. There are many ways to serve through this avenue, and you will read about some of them in this month’s issue.
All of the work we do to educate children, to improve maternal health, to help families live healthier lives – all of this is service to New Generations. We also serve New Generations by working to eradicate polio, helping to ensure that future generations of children will be born into a polio-free world.
Our youth and young adult programs, such as Rotaract, Interact, Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, and Rotary Youth Exchange, are a very important part of this Avenue of Service. We must remember that the youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow. By helping to develop young leaders and bringing younger members into our clubs, we strengthen communities – and Rotary’s future.
For most of my life, I have been a salesman. I learned long ago that being a good salesman is not enough. You must also have a good product. If you are a good salesman, you will make the first sale. But if you do not have a good product, you will make only the first sale. You will not make the second.
It is not enough to bring new members into Rotary. We want them to stay. We want the new, young members to become longtime members. We want them to be Rotary leaders in 10, 20, or 30 years.
How do we do this? We have to look at our product. We have to look at Rotary not with our own eyes, but with new eyes. When we invite a new member to join and that person’s answer is no, we should ask why. This is not to pressure someone into joining. It is to find out more information. What are the obstacles to membership? Is it an inconvenient meeting time? Is it too much of a time commitment? Is it something else that we have not thought of?
We need to ask questions, and we need to open ourselves to the answers. We cannot say, “No, we will not do this,” just because we have never done it before. Why not have child care at a meeting? Why not involve families in projects? Why not make attendance requirements less strict, or meet less often?
Our new Avenue of New Generations Service is an important step in ensuring many future generations of Rotary, and of Service Above Self.
Paralympic athletes at the garden party sponsored by Rotary International, in association with UNICEF, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the British Pakistan Foundation, and the Global Poverty Project. Photo by Jordi Matas
Perseverance and dedication are qualities that both Paralympic athletes and Rotarians use to reach their goals.
To highlight this common bond, British Rotarians used the excitement surrounding the opening day of the 2012 Paralympic Games on 30 August to rally government dignitaries from the United Kingdom and Pakistan to raise funds for Paralympic athletes and Rotary’s PolioPlus program.
“We wanted to celebrate the achievements of these amazing athletes and Rotary’s hard work towards polio eradication,” says Judith A. Diment, PolioPlus national advocacy adviser for the UK and a member of the Rotary Club of Windsor St. George, England. “Both groups have persevered through great odds to be where we’re at today.”
Rotary International, in association with UNICEF, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the British Pakistan Foundation, and the Global Poverty Project, sponsored the garden party in London attended by more than 100 people, including five Paralympic athletes, three of whom are polio survivors.
The event raised thousands of dollars for PolioPlus and the Pakistani Paralympic Committee and advocated for a polio-free world. Wajid Shamsul Hasan, the High Commissioner of Pakistan to the United Kingdom, praised Rotary’s efforts to eradicate polio in Pakistan and spoke about his government’s commitment to step up resources to rid his country of the disease.
Diment said advocacy efforts have become more important than ever, as funding shortages have forced the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) to cancel or scale back immunization activities in high-risk countries, leaving more children vulnerable to the disease.
The GPEI launched an emergency action plan earlier this year but is US$1 billion short of what it needs in order to implement the plan through 2013. Rotarians can help, Diment says, by lobbying their governments to commit funding for polio eradication and by spreading the word about the immense benefits of finally eliminating this crippling disease.
“We must continue to reach out and put Rotary’s effort in front of the opinion makers and governments so they act in helping us achieve our goal of polio eradication worldwide,” says Diment.
Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) Training is back in Jamaica, and will be held on November 24th and 25th at the Spanish Court Hotel in Kingston!
Not sure what RLI is? Ask anyone in your club that’s done it! I am sure you will hear nothing but fabulous remarks! Here are a few Testimonials:
RLI Testimonials
"I learned more today in Part 2 than in all three years I've been a Rotarian."
"I've been in Rotary for 18 years and I never knew what it was all about! I am definitely coming back."
"The instructors were great, no lecturing at all, but we learned something in every class."
"I was a member of a Rotary Club for 11 years, but after completing RLI and learning the true essence of what Rotary is, I now consider myself a Rotarian."
Notes:
· RLI comprises of Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and Graduate.
· Saturday the 24th will offer Part 1 and Part 3
· Sunday the 25th will offer Part 2 and Graduate
· Registration is $80 per course inclusive of Breakfast, Lunch, Coffee breaks and all training materials.
· One can do a maximum of 2 courses in one weekend
· Deadline is strictly enforced and will cut off on Nov 13th Midnight or once class is full. There will be no exceptions.
· Registration begins at 7:30am on each day, and classes run until 3:30pm
Hotel Accommodation Information
Spanish Court Hotel
1 St. Lucia Avenue
Kingston 5
Jamaica, West Indies (WI)
Jamaica: (876) 926 0000 / (876) 618 6000
Fax: (876) 926 1613
Email: info@spanishcourthotel.com
Special Rate is $109 (Single) and $128 (Double) + taxes. Code for discount is RLI.
Registration Information
Step 1: Visit www.rlitraining.org
Step 2: Click “Online Registration”
Step 3: Click “Register as New User” if it is your first time. Otherwise sign in using your existing login.
Step 4: Hit “Continue”
Step 5: Choose “Caribbean” Region
Step 6: Select Course(s)
Step 7: Proceed with remaining Registration and Payment Instructions. Ensure that you receive confirmations for both courses if you are doing two.
It’s the best investment you’ll make in Rotary. Act Now!
Here’s hoping all is well with you and yours in your corner of the world.
On behalf of Caribbean Partnership, Inc. (CP), I would like to use this medium to reach out to you for your support to our suffering families and friends in the Caribbean and in particular, Haiti. Due to delays and costs with shipping products and supplies into Haiti, our Taskforce recommends monetary support at this time.
After their tragic experience with the earthquake of January 2010 and a period of limited recovery, these unfortunate people encountered yet another major disaster with Tropical Storm Isaac on August 27, 2012. Many people who were living in tent cities were overcome by the terrible storm and were subsequently left in mud with all their belongings destroyed or missing. Many were injured, and several lives were lost in this catastrophe.
Consequently, we are asking for your kind financial support which will be effectively and efficiently managed with accountability. Please send your donations to:
Account Name -CARIBBEAN PARTNERSHIP, INC.
ABA Routing/Transit Numbers -043000096
Account Number -1205090286
SWIFT Code -PNCCUS33
Please ensure that your transit information includes a note that the funds are designated for “Isaac Aid.” For assistance with transit information/ problems, please contact: PDG Philip Lustig, 9937 Majorca PL, Boca Raton, FL 33434; Ph. 561-487-2481 and Cell 561-212-6554
Thank you for your kind considerations, and please do not hesitate to contact me at (703) 447-8637 or via email at hmccormack@hgmteam.com if necessary.
PDG Horace G. McCormack Chairman, Caribbean Partnership, Inc.
Youth Exchange Students from Canada and the United States hold flags aloft during the hands across the border ceremony in 2005. Photo courtesy District 5360
In a year when the RI theme is all about peace, the annual gathering of Rotarians from both sides of the U.S.-Canadian border at the world’s first peace park takes on even greater significance.
In 1932, Rotarians played a large role in convincing the governments of Canada and the United States to join Glacier National Park in Montana and Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta, forming Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park.
Each year since, Rotarians from both countries have gathered for a weekend of fellowship and goodwill, an event that this year could include members from more than 200 clubs in four districts in southwestern Canada and the northwestern United States.
“When I heard this year’s theme was about peace I was thrilled. It fits so well with what our districts have been doing here for the past 80 years,” says Frances Leggett, governor of Canadian District 5360 and president of the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park Association. “Peace means all sorts of things. Any sort of collaboration is really a means of promoting peace.”
“When all is said and done, ours is an organization of service that can lift others, and build peace one person at a time,” adds Canadian Monty Audenart, a past RI vice president, who has participated in the event.
The assembly alternates between the U.S. and Canadian sides of the border. This year it takes place in Kalispell, Montana, 14-16 September. Three days of speakers and events will be capped off by the most moving part of the assembly, when Rotarians join hands across a white ribbon symbolizing the border between their countries.
During the ceremony, Rotarians recite this pledge: “In the name of God we will not take up arms against each other. We will work for peace, maintain liberty, strive for freedom, and demand equal opportunities for all mankind. May the long existing peace between our two nations stimulate other people to follow this example.”
Youth exchange students from both countries take part whenever possible. “A few years back, we had a separate event for the youth exchange students, and at the Saturday banquet they all marched in carrying the flags of their nations. It was a very moving experience,” Leggett recalls.
Beginnings
The idea for the peace park originated eight decades ago, when the president of the Rotary Club of Cardston, Alberta, Joseph S. Low, attended a meeting at which Past District Governor Frank R. Freeze spoke eloquently on the subject of international fellowship. Low decided to pitch to his club the idea of arranging an annual goodwill meeting between Canadian and U.S. Rotary clubs on alternating sides of the border. The club heartily endorsed the idea and authorized him to make it happen.
The park was dedicated on 18 June 1932. At the ceremony, Canadian Prime Minister R.B. Bennett and U.S. President Herbert Hoover expressed sentiments that mirrored Low’s.
“It is my earnest hope that this great International Peace Park, stretching across our common frontier and in which citizens of both our countries may seek recreation, may forever remain a permanent memorial of all that neighbourly relations should be between adjoining nations,” Bennett wrote.
“Dedication of the Waterton-Glacier International Park is a further gesture of the good will that has so long blessed our relations with our Canadian neighbors, and I am gratified by the hope and the faith that it will forever be an appropriate symbol of permanent peace and friendship,” wrote Hoover.
Today, Rotarians govern the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park Association. Canadians and Americans are equally represented on the 18-member board, and the presidency alternates between the two countries.
Adapted from a Rotary Canada story by Paul Engleman
World’s first peace park celebrates its 80th anniversary
Every day, Rotarians work on service projects that make a positive impact on communities worldwide. Through Rotary Showcase, you can promote your club’s achievements to other Rotarians and Facebook friends. Add your project today or browse the site to see the good work other clubs are doing.
The clubs of USVI North worked together to create three videos to encourage membership and community support. The first was aired alongside the opening of the Olympics and is currently showing in the local movie theatres. Additional videos can be seen Here and Here and Here
Top: The Rotary Club of Cotonou Ifê, Benin, celebrates Rotary's anniversary with a cake in February. The club is one of several formed recently in Benin. Photo courtesy Boris Crestia. Bottom: Claudio Spiguel, third from left, and other members of the Rotary Club of Guaxupé, Minas Gerais, Brazil, with a car they purchased for a school for at risk youth. Decals on the car helped publicize Rotary's involvement, and led to several membership inquiries. Photo courtesy Claudio Spiguel
Eight years ago, Géné Villaça-Crestia was asked by her district governor to start a new Rotary club in her country, Benin.
She had been a Rotarian for only four years and didn’t really know where to begin. But she had a few things working in her favor: Villaça-Crestia is extremely passionate about Rotary, and she doesn’t take no for an answer.
“I don’t hesitate to drive to people’s places and come back again,” says Villaça-Crestia of her recruitment style. “I don’t wait for them to get back to me and tell me they don’t have time. I insist and go after them until they understand what Rotary is all about and the good it will do them to join.”
Villaça-Crestia’s techniques have been extremely effective. Within three months of her district governor’s request, she helped launch the Rotary Club of Cotonou Rive Gauche, Benin, and became the charter president. During the next two years, she helped form three other clubs, including two composed almost entirely of younger Rotarians.
This year, she and her son, Boris Crestia, a public relations specialist and Rotary Public Image Coordinator for Zone 20A, have teamed up to recruit advertising, public relations, and media professionals for another new club, which will soon be seeking its charter. Members have set goals of promoting basic education and literacy in Africa and serving as a public relations resource for other clubs.
Be passionate and persistent
Villaça-Crestia says the key to recruiting new members is to show them how passionate you are about Rotary and be persistent.
“People say they came to Rotary because they felt my passion and I could communicate it to them,” she says. “In this state of mind, any challenge is never really impossible.
“More than once, I had to wait hours in a reception area in order to meet an important or busy person and be able to convince them to join Rotary or give to The Rotary Foundation,” she adds. “But when you just explain to people, for instance, that the same money they pay for a nice meal in a good restaurant could help immunize a great number of families against polio, most people are sensitive to this and react immediately.’’
Villaça-Crestia says her favorite thing to say to prospective members is that by being Rotarians, they can be a bridge between the millions of dollars available through The Rotary Foundation and the poorest populations of the world. “Knowing that, and not becoming a Rotarian, is almost criminal,” she says.
Be involved in service and be visible
Brazilian Claudio Spiguel is another Rotarian who has succeeded in recruiting members. When Spiguel became president of the Rotary Club of Guaxupé in 2005, the club was hovering below 20 members and in danger of losing its ability to make a significant contribution to the community.
By focusing on getting members involved in service projects and publicizing those projects, he had helped raise membership to 34 by the end of his second stint as president. While serving in various leadership roles since, he has spread that enthusiasm to other clubs in the district, with similar effect.
Spiguel shared the following tips:
Teach club members the Foundation’s grant process and immediately engage them in pursuing projects that benefit well-known service organizations in need in your community. “To date, we have done five Matching Grant projects, and each has improved our credibility in the community.”
Broadcast the results of your work through partnerships with local media. “We created a weekly program at a regional TV station called ‘Rotary in the Community,’ a talk show with interviews and presentations about our work and Rotary in general. It has reached many people with our message.” ( Read a blog post from Spiguel)
What you can do
Share your passion for Rotary with your family, friends, and community during Membership and Extension Month in August. This year you’re invited to take part in two activities designed to help you remember why you joined and convert that excitement into inviting others to join.
By taking the Rotary Membership Challenge, you commit to sponsor a new member, tell a friend or colleague about your club’s projects, or volunteer as a mentor to prospective or new members. After you complete the form, Rotary will email you links to resources to help you meet the challenge.
By participating in the first-ever Rotary Moment Tweet Day on 14 August, you can tweet about your favorite Rotary memory or event, talk about your club’s activities, or share your community service project. Use hashtag #RotaryMoment.
In our Rotary calendar, we are reminded that August is Membership and Extension month. Although only the second month of the Rotary year, it is imperative that during this month we as Rotarians focus on retaining and attracting new members. Additional members gained early in the year can help propel our various clubs forward and upward toward success.
One school of thought tells us that if we focus on keeping our club vitalized with service projects, inviting interesting speakers to address our various club meetings and assemblies, enjoying good fellowship at all our service projects and during our meetings, we are likely to find that together these efforts will be rewarded with an increase in membership satisfaction. Satisfied members are more likely to remain Rotarians and indeed will want to share this satisfaction with non-members. This will then make our club look attractive to Rotarians and non-Rotarians and we can exploit this attractiveness by inviting these non-Rotarians to our meetings.
In his August message, Rotary International President Sakuji Tanaka encourages us to share with others, reasons why we think that Rotary is a great organization. He encourages us to talk about our Rotary moment as a means of inspiring others.
I too, would like to echo that sentiment and thus I am imploring all Rotarians in our great District 7020 to let us join together and dispel the myth that Rotary is the best kept secret in the world. We can do this by passionately talking about our Aha moment - our Rotary moment. This is the moment when the mental light bulb switches on as we suddenly gain clarity on some aspect of our lives. We will be surprised to see the powerful and positive impact of our telling about our Rotary moment. This personal experience can be used to great effect to open doors and to build new friendships.
Yesterday I was having a corporate meeting with a colleague and I casually asked the person whether he had heard about Rotary and what his impression was. I was told that the impression of the Rotary organisation was very positive but he wondered why no one had ever invited him to become a member? I have now invited this individual to the next round of meetings to be held by clubs in our area.
The moral of the story is that there are many potential Rotarians just waiting to be invited to a meeting. Take the plunge! Invite a friend or colleague to your next meeting. Tell him or her why you became a Rotarian. Tell that person about the good things that we as Rotarians do on a daily basis. Explain about the great things that Rotarians are doing to ensure that polio is eradicated from the face of the earth. Share your personal moment and you may be surprised to find out that your club will have a new vital member within a month. Then do not forget to include your story, along with all your other membership-related activities, in your August Club Of The Month (COTM) report that your club will submit before September 5th.
District 7020 is planning and moving forward to create a new Rotary club– an E-club.
Rotary E-clubs became official in July 2010 when the 2010 Council on Legislation voted to make E-clubs a permanent part of Rotary International. E-clubs meet online in a variety of formats. An E-club operates the same way as does any other Rotary club. An E-club is designed primarily for business, professional, and community leaders who are unable to attend a weekly meeting in person (due to physical disabilities, location constraints, or busy schedules).
At this time, District 7020 is looking only for current Rotarians who might find it more convenient to participate in an Eclub format. Participation will be limited at this point to the District 7020 geographic location. Our goal right now is to inform the district and to find out how many Rotarians in the district would be prospective E-club members. The E-club option offers the opportunity to meet, conduct service projects, and participate in Rotary fellowship.
From time to time, Rotarians who miss their regular Rotary club meeting may make up a meeting by attending an e-club meeting online – a valuable service for all members. Are you interested? Or do you know of someone in District 7020 for whom this E-club would be a
viable option? Please send an email to Kitty at ladykitt@sympatico.ca.
EClub for District 7020 Preparations - Will It Suit You?
What is Rotary? When I ask Rotarians this question, they often give vague answers. And when I asked myself this question, I had to think about it. August is Membership and Extension Month in Rotary, and I want all Rotarians to be able to send a unified message about what Rotary is and why they joined.
The key to increasing membership is for every Rotarian to be convinced that it’s good to be a Rotarian, and to convey that passion to others. In Rotary, we have a tendency to be humble and keep our achievements to ourselves. But we must share them with those around us and with the world.
Every Rotarian has a specific moment that stands out and has a special meaning. Some people refer to this as their “Rotary Moment.” I believe it is very important to share this moment with others. Facts and numbers can only go so far, but sharing a personal experience can open doors and build friendships.
That’s why I decided to create some sample messages that I call “Rotary Moments.” You can use these one-minute and three-minute messages to answer the question “What is Rotary?” in a way that is most personal to you. They will help you talk about the projects you’ve been involved in, how they’ve helped your community, and what’s been most meaningful to you.
To strengthen Rotary, we need more members. But unless those members are convinced of the benefits of the organization and can share that passion with others, expanding Rotary won’t be meaningful.
If every Rotarian is happy about being a Rotarian and spreads the word with a clear, unified message – if every Rotarian around the world can be his or her own PR department – the combined, collective effect will be enormous. These sample messages will help us all clearly communicate our enthusiasm to others. This will lead to an increase in new membership and in member retention.
The messages are available for free download at www.rotary.org, and Rotarians can buy other membership materials at shop.rotary.org.
I believe that the purpose of every life is to help others and contribute to society. Once Rotarians begin using these samples, the world will become more aware of how Rotary is helping people live that way. I encourage you to share your Rotary Moment with other Rotarians as well as non-Rotarians.
Olympic diver Tom Daley is featured in "This Close" posters as part of a publicity campaign by the Rotary Club of Plympton, Devon, England. Rotarians in India also lined up several members of Indian's Olympic team, including boxer Vijender Singh, for their "This Close" campaign.
The best athletes in the world have gathered in London for the 2012 Summer Olympics, and some of them are helping to spread the word about Rotary’s campaign to rid the world of polio.
Rotarians in Plymouth, Devon, England, used a few connections to line up Olympic divers Tom Daley and Tonia Couch for “This Close” posters, which have been displayed around Plymouth and at the training facility used by Ghana’s Olympic team.
Darren Hands, a member of the Rotary Club of Plympton, was put in contact with the athletes’ coach by a photographer friend who takes pictures of the divers regularly. The coach was happy to approach Daley and Couch and help make arrangements, Hands says.
“We did the shoot quite early in the morning so as not to impede their training,” he says. “We then produced various-size posters and postcards, as well as got the images printed in the local press and onto club and district websites.”
District 1290 received a public relations grant to use Couch’s image on bus advertisements around the counties of Devon and Cornwall to raise her image during the Olympics, promote Rotary’s polio efforts, and help with a membership drive.
“The campaign has received a lot of praise,” says Hands. “Together with the Rotary Club of Grantham’s Swimarathon, we were awarded the Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland (RIBI) PR Award at our national conference back in April.”
Other Olympic athletes participating in the “This Close” campaign are more than a dozen members of India’s team, including members of the men’s boxing, men’s and women’s weightlifting, and men’s and women’s wrestling teams.
Appealing to parents, wrestler Sushil Kum, a bronze medalist at the 2008 Beijing games, said: “In 1988, 500 children were getting affected by polio in India every day. Today, our country is reaching steadily toward eradication of polio. We need your help to win this fight.”
And Vijender Singh, a member of the boxing team who won a bronze medal in Beijing, said: “Polio vaccine can save a child from polio paralysis. Let us ensure that children are not paralyzed by giving them the vital drops.”
Home hosting and cleanup
Rotarians have displayed the Olympic spirit in other ways, as well. Tony Betts, a member of the Rotary Club of Redbridge, Greater London, volunteered to take part in home hosting organized through District 1130 and is playing host to a Rotarian couple from Jacksonville, Florida, USA, who are attending the games.
A Rotarian for six years, Betts says he has always been interested in the international aspect of Rotary and in meeting people from around the world. “It’s why I’ve attended the RI convention every year since I became a member,” he says. “I’ve always seen Rotary as bigger than just your local club.”
Through an initiative of the RIBI Olympic Committee called Work for Purpose, more than 300 volunteers signed up to work as cleaners in the athletic village to raise money for various Rotary projects. One effort includes members of the Rotary clubs of Hatfield and Stevenage, Hertfordshire, whose work will benefit several local children’s hospices.
Rotarians have also signed up to clean up after the games.
“Rotary and the Olympics share a common ethos,” says Debbie Hodge, governor of District 1260. “That is the building of a more peaceful world.”
A new Rotary year is set to begin, and with it several programs aimed at helping clubs and districts enhance their projects, share information, and increase membership. In addition, a new group of leaders will take over at the club, district, and international levels.
Sakuji Tanaka, of the Rotary Club of Yashio, Japan, will become Rotary’s 102nd president on 1 July and will encourage Rotarians to foster Peace Through Service. Read a profile of Tanaka from The Rotarian and download his convention speech.
Wilfrid J. Wilkinson, of the Rotary Club of Trenton, Ontario, Canada, will take over as Rotary Foundation trustee chair. Read his biography and download his convention speech.
Other changes include the following:
Beginning 1 July, The Rotary Foundation and the Water and Sanitation Rotarian Action Group will work together to offer resources and consulting services on major water and sanitation projects to several districts through a one-year pilot called the project enhancement process. These optional services will enable grant sponsors to tap into the technical expertise of their fellow Rotarians who are professionals in the field. To learn more, read these FAQs.
In order to focus goal setting at the club and district levels on membership activities, the RI Board has set a membership goal of 1.3 million Rotarians by 30 June 2015. The Board has also approved regional membership plans that were created by committees of Rotary leaders led by the directors in each region. Each plan addresses the region’s unique needs and customs. Districts and clubs are encouraged to use the regional membership plans as a guide in developing goals and strategies that are realistic and achievable and take into consideration historical trends and the opportunities within each region.
RI will be launching Rotary Club Central in an effort to measure the organization’s global impact. The new online tool allows clubs to set and track service, membership, and Foundation contribution goals.
Through Rotary Showcase, Rotarians can share photos of and information about their clubs’ service projects with the Rotary community and their Facebook friends. By indicating funds spent and hours volunteered, clubs and districts will also be helping track Rotary’s global impact.
A new convention website launches later this month, providing the latest news, travel tips, registration, housing information, and more on Rotary’s largest annual gathering. Register now for the 2013 RI Convention in Lisbon, Portugal, 23-26 June. The End Polio Now website will also be redesigned to include infographics, social media campaigns, status reports, and maps.
RI will hold three Rotary Global Peace Forums in 2012-13, each consisting of a two- or three-day program to engage and inspire Rotarians and community leaders. The forums will take place 30 November to 2 December in Berlin, Germany; 25-27 January in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA; and 17-18 May in Hiroshima, Japan.
The Council on Legislation will meet in April in Chicago to discuss and enact changes to the RI Constitution, RI Bylaws, and the Standard Rotary Club Constitution. The council meets every three years to review resolutions submitted by clubs, district conferences, the General Council and Conference of Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland, and the RI Board. The Council comprises more than 500 representatives from every part of the Rotary world.
As the Future Vision pilot enters its final year, Rotary clubs and districts will start preparing for Rotary’s new grant model, which launches 1 July 2013.
The RI Board of Directors will seat eight new directors 1 July, along with RI President-elect Ron D. Burton, of the Rotary Club of Norman, Oklahoma, USA. The new directors for 2012-13 are Ann-Britt Åsebol, of the Rotary Club of Falun-Kopparvågen, Sweden; John B. Boag, of the Rotary Club of Tamworth North, Australia; Jacques di Costanzo, of the Rotary Club of Marseille Phocea, Bouches-du-Rhône, France; Takeshi Matsumiya, of the Rotary Club of Chigasaki-Shonan, Japan; Anne L. Matthews, of the Rotary Club of Columbia East, South Carolina, USA; Gideon Peiper, of the Rotary Club of Ramat Hasharon, Israel; Andy Smallwood, of the Rotary Club of Gulfway-Hobby Airport (Houston), Texas, USA; and Bryn Styles, of the Rotary Club of Barrie-Huronia, Ontario, Canada.
The Rotary Foundation Board of Trustees will seat five new trustees, including Stephanie A. Urchick, of the Rotary Club of Canonsburg-Houston, Pennsylvania, USA, who has been appointed for a two-year term, replacing Anne L. Matthews, who is joining the RI Board. The others, who will serve four-year terms, include Ray Klinginsmith, of the Rotary Club of Kirksville, Missouri, USA; Michael K. McGovern, of the Rotary Club of South Portland-Cape Elizabeth, Maine, USA; Samuel F. Owori, of the Rotary Club of Kampala, Uganda; and Julio Sorjús, of the Rotary Club of Barcelona Condal, Spain.
Changes you should know about for the new Rotary year
One day, I was asked to join the Rotary Club of Yashio. And it was two years later that someone came and spoke to us about the idea of vocational service. From that day, slowly, I began to change. I realized that the purpose of my life was not just to earn more, to sell more, to make my business better than anyone else’s. I realized that I wanted to have better goals and higher goals — both personally and professionally. I realized that for me, the most important thing in life was being useful to other people. And I realized that by helping others, even in the simplest of ways, I could help to build peace.
Un jour, on m’a demandé de rejoindre le Rotary club de Yashio. Deux ans ont passé avant que quelqu’un ne vienne dans notre club faire une présentation sur l’action professionnelle. À partir de ce jour-là, j’ai commencé à changer. Je me suis rendu compte que le but de ma vie n’était pas de gagner plus, de vendre plus, de rendre mon entreprise plus rentable que la concurrence. Je me suis rendu compte que je devais avoir des objectifs plus nobles – tant du point de vue personnel que professionnel. Je me suis rendu compte que la chose la plus importante dans la vie était de se rendre utile aux autres. Et il est devenu clair qu’en aidant les autres je pouvais contribuer à la construction de la paix.
Congratulations to Rotary Club of Spanish Town on its 30th Anniversary. It was exceptional to have my District Governor Visit with Rotary Club of Spanish Town , in Jamaica , on Tuesday October 18th ,2011. I found a Vibrant , Astounding , very Performant Club and far from being tired after 30 years of existence .
August is the month when we highlight “Self Service” and take care of our Membership. What is your Club planning to do in August to enhance
membership?
.png)
.png)
On November 17, General Secretary John Hewko and his wife will be riding 111 miles in the El Tour de Tucson Ride where they hope to raise $111,000 for polio eradication as a tribute to all of the Rotarians worldwide who have helped push polio to the brink of eradication.
-created-how-can-you-help/tornado1.jpg)
-font/loudspeaker.jpeg)
-font/loudspeaker.jpeg)
after the January 2010 earthquake during a panel presentation at Rotary-UN Day, 5 November. Rotary Images/Alyce Henson
