We're Combining with District 1290 to form District 1175 on 1 July 2015
As part of the Rotary GB&I 5-Year Membership Development Plan of November 2012, Phase 1 included the merger of our district and District 1290 on 1 July 2015.
Since a change brought about by a Council on Legislation decision in April 2013, District 1290 petitioned for the merger to be halted. That petition was finally heard by the Rotary GB&I General Council, on 10 February.
General Council rejected that petition and decided that Districts 1170 and 1290 will merge with effect from 1 July 2015 to form District 1175. We can now move forward and plan the new, enlarged district with certainty and purpose.
This merger will not impact to any significant degree on clubs. District officers and committee chairmen will have to change the way they operate and communicate within this enlarged district: such as District Governor club visits, PEPS, District Assembly, District Council and district committee meetings. But that will be part of the challenge of change!
Past Rotary GB&I President Brian Stoyel (Rotary Club of Saltash) has already been elected the first District Governor of District 1175. He has started the process of combining the districts and the processes to run the new district effectively. Soon we will be seeking nominations for his successor and, later, for other officers and committee chairmen. Clubs will still be grouped into Assistant Governor clusters and that person will be there to support and advise.
I hope we all regard this as a positive move and in the long-term best interests of Rotary in this corner of Rotary GB&I. With a combined total of 91 clubs and over 2,600 members (a "sustainable" level) we should be clear of threats for some time to come. However, membership recruitment and retention remains the priority for us all.
I will keep you informed as we move forward.
B. Rendal-Jones
District Governor 2013-14,
Rotary in Devon
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