District Governor's Message - August 2011

Thank you to the 23 Clubs we have visited to date.  Beth and I have enjoyed the friendship and fellowship of each visit and wish to thank you for organising special board meetings so that we can learn about the exciting projects that your Clubs are involved with and challenges that face many Clubs with finding new members and retaining existing members.

This month is membership and extension month where we should all be focusing on recruiting new members into our wonderful organisation and developing retention strategies to ensure our existing members are having Fun enjoying the Friendship of Rotarians and that Rotary meetings are Fulfilling. These elements, I believe, are key in growing your Rotary Club. If you would like assistance in developing a membership recruitment and retention strategy our Membership Chair Mick Newling is very happy to help. Mick can be contacted by email - mnewling@tadaust.org.au or 02 6226 2731.

There are a lot of programs and events that we have attended in July and August the District has a lot to celebrate:

• Rotary Club of Hall’s Canberra Region Farmers Market awards presentation night, a great event where suppliers and apprentice chefs where recognised for their contribution to the Market and the community.
• Ambassadorial Scholars afternoon to meet our newest scholar, Sarah Jewell who will study overseas in 2012-13.
• National Youth Science Forum selection weekend where the 18 students were selected to attend NYSF in January.
• Rotary Youth Exchange new students have been arriving from around the world to spend 12 months in our District.
• Canberra City Careers Market in conjunction with ACT Education and Training where 7,000 students have the opportunity to learn about trade and university courses.
• Rotary Club of Canberra East, book launch celebrating 45 year of the Club.
• Rotary Club of Berrima District, 20th Birthday celebration.
• Model United Nations Assembly will be held in Canberra on the 19-21 August another great weekend for young people to show their debating skills.

The District Directory’s have all been distributed, if any Clubs or members would like more copies please let me know as I have about 100 left.

The District has purchased 500 books called “Humanity in Motion” which highlights the work of Rotary. These are coffee table books and are designed to be left in Doctor’s Surgeries, coffee shops and businesses to help promote Rotary. The books cost $4.00 each and we have purchased 5 books for each club. Bob Greeney and I will be distributing the books as we visit Clubs and they will be available to purchase at the District Conference.

The District Conference is being held from 21 to 23 October at the Hellenic Club in Canberra. Registration is now available on the website with details of the keynote speakers.

This District Conference dinner on Saturday night will highlight Rotary fellowships, there are 58 fellowships recognized by the RI Board of Directors with more than 1,500 members from 60 countries. Fellowships bring Rotarians, their spouses, and Rotaractors together to share common interests, explore new opportunities to serve, enhance the Rotary experience through fun activities, and further vocational development through friendship. I am arranging for a section on the website that will link to Rotary Fellowships and include Fellowship newsletters.

President Kalyan’s theme is “To reach within and Embrace Humanity” he said it is only as we draw on our inner strengths that we can truly Embrace Humanity – until we meet again “Enjoy your Rotary”.