"THE FUTURE OF ROTARY IS IN YOUR
HANDS"
I am thrilled to welcome all of you in Rotary District
5030 to the new Rotary year beginning today, July 1st.
You may have heard about our theme this year, "The
future of Rotary is in your hands". This couldn't
be a more true statement because if not only embraces
the future but it acknowledges what we all know, that
everything in Rotary is born from our members and clubs.
You're the heroes and the hardest working people I know.
Your ideas and hard work, along with great tenacity have
shown the world that Rotarians can get it done.
Our pledge of ethnicity and service is unmatched.
I’ve just returned from attending the Rotary
International Convention in
Birmingham
England.
It was a trip I
will always remember and speakers with messages that
were so impactful. We
had a surprise keynote address from the United Nations
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
He called Rotary
the heart and soul of the worldwide polio eradication
effort and pledged the UN’s continued cooperation and
support.
Our new Rotary International President John
Kenny spoke about the need for every
Rotarian to add fresh ideas and energies to
their clubs and their districts.
“Each
one of you can make important contributions
and pass on to your successors stronger
clubs, healthier communities, and a better
world”. President
Kenny is our first president from Scotland and a member of the Rotary
Club of Grangemouth.
I enjoyed talking with our incoming
Director for our zone 25, John Blount and
his wife Patti, as well as getting an
opportunity to talk about our clubs with RI
President Kenny.
Just
as wonderful, was seeing Rotarians from our
District enjoying themselves and taking in
all of the breakouts, plenary sessions and,
yes…food and beverage.
This really is a wonderful opportunity to
lean more from other clubs and districts
from around the world.
I had
the chance to attend breakout sessions
presented by several “Rotary Action Groups”.
These
are Rotary sanctioned groups that share
information and best practices on various
issues that are important to Rotarians.
I
enjoyed the micro credit group and the
discussion on aids, focused on African
nations and specific problems they face.
I just can’t tell you how much I am looking
forward to working with all of you this
year. There
isn’t anything in the world I would rather
do or any group of people I am more proud to
represent.
Nancy Keenholts Dalton
Rotary District 5030
District Governor
