Rotary International District 1150
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District Governor August Newsletter 2010
Just where has July gone? It has been so busy, and so much fun – 17 official visits in July and many functions in the first month! Steve and I thank all the clubs for their fellowship and hospitality that has given us such a great start to the year. In addition to visiting clubs for their regular meetings we have been invited to a wealth of interesting and enjoyable functions on which I will report elsewhere during the year ahead.
On the international front, I am delighted to report that as I write, Rotary worldwide has raised $141million towards the $200million target to be achieved by the end of June 2012 to match the donation given by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
August is Membership and Extension Month
I am delighted that clubs are increasing membership in their clubs and I welcome each new member to a community which cares about so many things as well as each other. Life in Rotary means a friend is never far away wherever we are in the world. I would urge all secretaries to ensure the District Secretary and I are aware of new members joining clubs in our District.
Conferences, conferences, conferences
District Conference will soon be upon us – October 8th-10th 2010…. but I urge you not to forget the RIBI conference, or even the RI Convention, when planning your diaries.
Plans for the District event at Plymouth are, as previously reported, well under way and registrations have been coming in steadily although we haven't been inundated to a point that we can't cope! We do need 400 people for the event to break even and I ask all Presidents to seriously consider attending – we do find that if the President doesn't take the lead the members tend not to attend either. A conference is a wonderful chance to see what is happening at Club, District, National and International levels and is great Fun.
As I write a total of 30 clubs are not yet represented.
The RIBI conference returns to Dublin in April where we are assured of a great time and if 1150 Rotarians can spare the time and their cash to go to New Orleans the following month they will have the chance to enjoy an RIBI Mississippi steam boat breakfast as well as soaking up the fantastic atmosphere in the birthplace of jazz.
RIBI President's Visit and the Eisteddfod
President Jim Moulson discovered a very warm welcome by all Rotarians and their families during his visit to the District, and we travelled lots of miles to show him some of the things we do. A big thank you to all clubs who took part in hosting events and also to those who hosted us in your homes. I am sure you agree with me that Jim is not just a Big Man, but has a big heart and is committed to the causes of Rotary. This is perhaps why the RI President suggests we should think, Bigger, Better and Bolder!.
Not only did he visit us but he also took part in a District activity - sleeping in the Shelter Box tent with the DG! - and other Rotarians who had volunteered to see what it is like to be a refugee. Who could have imagined that in the planning of the tent being on the Eisteddfod Maes that the disaster in Pakistan would occur and that we would know first hand how important that shelter would be? Jim slept in the tent on the Sunday night, before undertaking a morning of activity in District and travelling up to Alcester. Jim, I am delighted to say, was impressed with the Club Projects in District 1150 and sends his regards and thanks to us all.
May I also congratulate the clubs who organised the Rotary Stand at the Eisteddfod. Their participation and efforts in promoting Rotary in Wales was a credit to us all. And a huge thank you to all who slept in the tent with a mad DG! [Next time I have a hair brain idea will someone give me a shake please!]. Seriously, the coverage from the media was not as good as we wanted, but we did get some useful reports and Derek did the weather forecast in front of the tent. The local press covered the event, as did the Argus, so hopefully we showed Rotary to the general public who may not have known some of what we do. Those who visited the Shelter Box stand saw at first hand a group of Rotarians who were proud to be doing what they did.
Well done to all and a big thank you.
RYLA
During July we completed one of the four week long RYLA camps at Dolygaer involving 100 youngsters. Our connection with Dolygaer is to be treasured and we are very grateful to the staff, led by Simon Baldwin, for their continued support. Also, I cannot ever express my own gratitude for all Hugh Clatworthy does for RYLA in our District. He is committed above the cause to one of the "jewels in the crown" of our youth programmes, which makes it such a success. Well done and thanks again Hugh.
GSE Teams Philippines
We will be welcoming the GSE team from Philippines in September and I know that a full programme is being developed by Rob Elward and the AGs. Let's give them an amazing Welsh welcome and experiences that they will remember as life changing, in keeping with the other teams we have hosted from around the world. Please take part in the GSE program as we will not have another team in the country until 2013 if the funding continues for GSE in the way it is now, so it will be a loss for each of us if we do not introduce our new members to one of the great opportunities offered by Rotary.
Thanks for Life and Focus on the Crocus
The resources available on the RIBI website at: www.ribi.org/thanks-for-life and at: http://www.focusonthecrocus.org to support the TfL programme are increasing and clubs should be able to show schools and community groups that they are partnering with a great deal of material for them to select as they feel appropriate.
Let's get as many clubs as possible taking part in this very exciting programme that offers so much to ensure the message that we want to 'End Polio Now' is publicised wherever and whenever we can - lets make it loud and clear and ask for the communities help in getting the job done.
The crocuses ordered in our District have totalled 130,000, and that's the ones ordered through PDG Clayton that we know of…lets now look to raise the awareness of all we are doing; to increase the media awareness and also see if we can fund raise to the End Polio Now programme by using the crocuses to..perhaps promote a Mufti day or dress down day, a mock immunisation day, or asking for a donation when planting the bulbs. Lets look outside the norm of what we do and make the most of this opportunity to help those who we will never meet but who will be grateful forever that they never contracted Polio and be proud that you participated in that effort.
Shelter Box and opportunities to give Aid
Our District Shelter Box coordinator, John, Broughton, is available to speak to clubs on this important project. Contact him on 01437 781613 or at: broughtonjohn@hotmail.com .
Now is a time when the Shelter boxes are needed with the terrible news coming from Pakistan as well as elsewhere in the world. Lifestraws have already been sent, as well as aqua-boxes and other box aids. Clean water and shelter is so very important to their survival and I pass on thanks to all clubs who have already undertaken something to make a difference to those in need.
Donna Wallbank
District Governor
District 1150 August 11th 2010