Skip to main content

Home | District Governor News | January 2011 DG Newsletter

  

District Governor's Newsletter January 2011

January – Rotary Awareness Month

 

 

January is Rotary Awareness Month, and the wider world of Rotary is the focus for this month. 

 So as we move into 2011 we should take the time to think of all we have achieved in 2010, and how

 it impacted on those we know and do not know, but to also reflect on how we can build on those achievements in 2011.  Its also a time when we make personal resolutions for personal goals

and objectives.  Can I ask you to consider the "Every Rotarian Every Year" giving and make it a personal commitment for this year?  As we do so, perhaps we could take a moment to think about

the theme for this month.  What is your club going to do to make all members aware of the world outside of our on club?  An example is clubs who have Alumni from any of our

educational programmes or have Alumni from Interact and Rotaract clubs.  You may want to be sure that you as a club are still in contact with them.  Our Alumni are a great opportunity for assistance

in fund raising and membership development and it is far too easy to lose touch.

So let's make sure all Rotarians of experience, and new to our organisation, are aware of

 the 'International' in Rotary.

 

Thanks for Life and Focus on the Crocus

Clubs are, I am sure, busy finalising plans for celebrating Thanks for Life. In January clubs will receive leaflets from their AGs for use in the community to raise awareness about Rotary and why we have undertaken the Focus on the Crocus campaign.  Rotary Day is on 23February 2011 and I know you will have already added the date to your club diaries.  I am sure you will have found a place to set up a stand to promote Rotary and to ask the public to give to our "End Polio" campaign and this will add considerably to the both TfL and the Membership awareness campaign. The Crocuses will, we hope, flower during February and we need to make sure in each of our communities that the press celebrate the little purple flower symbolising the child that had been immunised against Polio.  Can you come up with a unique way to get the press to be on side and also create public interest from all the hard work put in by those who planted the Crocuses?  Please let Bob Wilson know what your going to do and let us see what we can achieve across southern Wales. 

 

Christmas Events

Heartfelt thanks to all the clubs that invited Steve and I to attend Christmas Dinners and Carol Services/Concerts.  They were all superbly organised with lots of good fellowship and truly represented the spirit of Christmas.  We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

 

This Months Focus Charity – Organ Donation

Okay not really a Charity but a good focus for a new years resolution.  Would you take an organ if you needed one?  Nearly everyone would, but only 28% of us have joined the Organ Donor Register.  More than 10,000 people in the UK currently need a transplant. Of these, 1000 annually - that's three a day - will die waiting as there are not enough organs available.  Would you consider, if you registered for organ donation, how it could help someone?  That's a good start to the year!  - but remember to tell your family so they know this is your wish.

Since 1 April 2010 - 751 people have donated organs: an additional 1,843 people have donated corneas; 2,498 people have received the gift of sight and 1,992 people have received transplants.  Unfortunately - 7,982 people are still waiting for transplants!

 

Happy New Year

May I wish everyone a very Healthy, Happy and Prosperous New Year of Rotary Service.

 

 

Donna Wallbank - DG D1150                                                                               1 January 2011