District 1100 June 2024 Newsletter

                                             Rotary District 1100 June 2024 Newsletter

Welcome from District Governor Anne

Gordon McInally’s Presidential Theme for 2023/2024 ‘Create Hope in the World’ where Rotary can make a genuine difference is one, I am sure, you can relate to.

Firstly, thank you to all the Club Presidents for all your hard work and commitment during the Rotary year, 2023-2024. I do hope you have had an enjoyable and rewarding year and can look back with pride at what your Club has achieved. I would also like to thank the District Team, who again have worked tirelessly this year, to support Clubs and fellow Rotarians.

I have had a very inspiring year, visiting 56 out of 60 Clubs along with Club events and Club assemblies. It is not until you visit a Club that you actually realise what is achieved by so many Rotarians in terms of community activities, fund raising and making an impact on the lives of others. If you do have the opportunity to visit another Club, please do so. Traditionally these were known as ‘Scatter Weeks’ and Rotarians were encouraged to visit another Club and I am certain you will be made very welcome. Take a moment to think about your own Club and what the experience would be like for someone visiting – would they be welcomed as a fellow Rotarian? First impressions count and this is so important, particularly for any potential new members, as we all know that we do need to increase membership and particularly maintain new members.

Alan and I were lucky to attend the International Rotary Convention in Singapore, at the end of May with 14,000 Rotarians. An amazing event, and incredibly well organised at the Marina Bay Sands Conference Centre. We went to general sessions and had breakout opportunities to network with other Rotarians and discover how Rotary Clubs operate around the world. It is only at an event like this that one appreciates Rotary in the true sense of a global organisation, with the initial flag ceremony representing 130 countries, followed by some inspiration speakers. We don’t appreciate that in some parts of the world, women and girls still suffer from being regarded as a lower class and inferior and do not have all the necessary health provisions that they require.

Rotary International President, Gordon McInally spoke of his year and his international visits demonstrating the power of Rotary in ‘Creating Hope in the World.’ His particular focus this year has been on ‘Mental Health and Well-Being’, with an aim of reducing the stigma often associated with this area.

As part of this Rotary has joined with several world-wide ‘Bipolar’ organisations to recognise the problem and talk about it.

Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland has this Rotary year, launched a new two-year partnership with Bipolar UK. ‘Together our aim is to reach many more people affected by bipolar and help them get the information and support they

need to live well with the condition’. Bipolar is a severe mental health condition characterised by high and low moods. At their most extreme, the highs can lead to delusional thinking and psychosis and the lows to endless suicidal thoughts. The partnership means that both organisations will work together to support 20% more people affected by bipolar in their first year. This means an additional 20,000 people will get life-changing support in the next 12 months. Many inspirational speakers on this subject which really touched our hearts.

Gordon McInally gave an insight into his experiences during the last year while Heather McInally, being an experienced singer, gave an amazing performance of songs from Les Miserables etc. as part of the final Ceremony. Still, the resounding message from Rotarians, Clubs and the Club experience are so valuable and important in order to make an impact to the lives of others. Ten out of twenty-four District Governors from Rotary GB&I attended and again it was great to catch up with them and share out experiences during the Rotary year, 2023-2024.

One of Rotary’s greatest achievements over the last 35 years is the support given to the eradication of Polio and today the goal is closer to this than ever with it now only endemic in parts of Afghanistan and Pakistan. I do hope Clubs will continue to purchase crocus bulbs and link with local schools and organisations to plant these.

My District 1100 theme for 2023/2024 has been ‘Stronger Together’ and particular highlights have been ‘Improving Collaboration’ between Clubs and District and ‘Clubs’ working together as well as ‘Ensuring our Rotary experience includes fun and fellowship’. I hope my visits to Clubs have helped to improve the Collaboration between Clubs and District, and I am delighted with Clubs working together with some excellent examples in the District.

In Area 4, with the Rotary Clubs collaborating to celebrate ‘Rotary in Gloucester’ with the Gloucester Community Awards celebration. Only last Friday, twenty-four small organisations received £500 for very worthwhile local community causes and, in the Autumn, Clubs in the Cheltenham area are mirroring a similar event. These are great examples of ‘Stronger Together, collaboration and communication.’

Earlier in this Rotary Year, Pershore RC arranged an event based on the support for Ukraine, with 7 Rotary Clubs attending, particularly supported by our new District Lead for Ukraine, Will Jackson. Will has recently represented Rotary GB&I at the Conference in Ukraine as well as continuing to deliver ambulances, medical supplies etc.

Another highlight for me, were the face-to-face Youth Competitions at both District then Cluster level, followed by the National final of the National Youth Speaks Competition, in Norwich. Our senior team, from Redland Green School

in Bristol, supported by Bristol and Clifton Rotary Clubs were incredible and clear winners.

Cluster Conference

This weekend we are in the final stages of preparation for our Cluster Conference at Sandy Park from 28th – 30th June, and I look forward to welcoming many of my fellow Rotarians, along with Rotarians from District 1150, Southern Wales, District 1175, Devon and Cornwall plus District 1200, Somerset and Wiltshire. Some inspirational speakers and a weekend where we can celebrate this Rotary year with fun and fellowship.

I would also like to thank my own Rotary Club, Cheltenham North for all their support this year and last week they presented me with a Paul Harris Fellowship, which was amazing. For once, I was virtually speechless as I have been privileged to give out some of these this year, but receiving one is such an honour.

May I take this opportunity to wish Drewe Lacey, District Governor 2024-2025 and his team a very successful and enjoyable year. It does go quickly so make the most of it.

Anne Bartholomew

District Governor 2023-2024