Gillian Jones, our District 9940 Governor Elect, is looking forward to a year of change. This year’s slogan of Rotary Connects the World has certainly given us the chance to test and implement the incoming slogan of Rotary Opens Opportunities. Using new technology and thinking outside the square has connected us all and opens opportunities for us to consider how we might use this as the basis for changing the way get things done.
The last few months have given us many positives:
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Families spending time together
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Working from home with no commute or morning rush
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Slowing down a little and learning to breathe
The incoming Presidents have found that most clubs have taken to zoom and skype meetings very well and the engagement levels have been incredibly high, and we become more creative and innovative. Our own club has inducted a new member over the lockdown period, and we have several new guests who are considering joining us. A number of clubs have looked at how we can continue, or even kick start new community projects – an example being foodbank assistance with delivery of food parcels into the community.
Many clubs, like our own, have begun to have two meetings each week – one for Rotary items and one for social fellowship with a virtual wine catch up with maybe a quiz thrown in for laughs.
Winston Churchill is credited with saying – “Never let a good crisis go to waste”. So let’s take the opportunity to continue with innovation and let’s not just slip back into “that’s the way we’ve done it for years”.
On that note, the District Assembly (Rotary training sessions) that was to take place next weekend is now being delivered online. Club members are encouraged to join in over the next three Saturdays (16th, 23rd and 30th May) to find out what our District 9940 is up to, what Rotary in general is up to and how to make sure your club is providing the best experience for your members.
This coming Rotary year we will be celebrating the New Zealand Rotary Centennial year. There are several celebratory projects under way such as:
- Give Every Child a Future – immunisation for children throughout the Pacific
- Mana Tangata – our club histories
- Rotary support for the Planting 1 Billion Trees programme
- The new Wellington Children’s Hospital – Rotary Sponsored Area
Don’t forget the Rotary Foundation should be our charity of choice – we still need to finish the job with eradicating Polio. All clubs should have a nominated centennial project under way.
June 28th is set for the District Changeover – still not sure what format this will take but be ready if you are keen to attend.
The District Conference for next year is anticipated to in Masterton and we can get a ‘Taste of the Wairarapa’ over the 19th -21st March…the Wairarapa that time of year is a wonderful place to be.
The Rotary International Conference which was taking place in Hawaii will now be a virtual conference – keep a look out for sessions that you can join into online.
There are numerous District Committees looking for new people to join, including our own David Shackleton who is becoming and Assistant Governor.
Gillian is excited about the year ahead with a visit by Rotary President Holger Knack coming and the opportunity to change and innovate – let’s stay future focussed!
All the best Gillian 😊