District Governor's Newsletter - March 2018

DG Cheryl writes

Just where is the time going. Only 4 months to go.

It’s been an amazing year so far, and I want to thank all of you for the inspiration you have all been. Rotary really is fantastic, and what makes Rotary is you – Rotarians – what you do for your communities – local, national and international. I stand in awe of your generosity, compassion and your ability to encompass it all with laughter, endurance and spirit!

It is that time of year when there is a never-ending stream of Technology Tournaments, Young Chef, Youth Speaks, Young Musician and other competitions. It’s exciting to see young people taking part, trying their hardest, making their mark – just having fun. Many do not get through and yet it is still a great achievement that they have taken part, and hopefully will be encouraged to try again. I am always so impressed with the quality of entrants, and am looking forward to attending some of the heats and finals.

Young people are the future of our world, and of Rotary, and an important part of Rotary is mentoring and helping young people achieve. A new accredited qualification has been devised for Rotary to help.

YOUNG LEADER – A MANAGEMENT AWARD 

 “A Rotary award for young people endorsed by the Institute of Leadership and Management” 

This is a course specifically for young people aged 16-25 which has been piloted by Rotary in District 1090 which gives an accredited City & Guilds level 2 qualification. It looks a very exciting prospect for older Interact, young Rotaract and young people in the workplace and I have invited Tim Cowling and Sue Pomeroy from D1090 to give a short explanation. This has proved very popular amongst my fellow DG’s, and as 1090 is our neighbour I thought we ought to ‘get in’ quick, to find out more.

ILM Young Leaders Award

Working with young people, you’ll know that there are some skills you can teach them that are more life changing than others. Among the most vital of those, is leadership. And here at ILM, we’re the UK’s leadership experts.

Leadership skills dramatically improve educational prospects and enhance career progression too. By working with ILM to deliver the Young Leaders Award, you’ll have a proven way to teach these vital skills.

Universities and employers tell us that young people who know how to lead really stand out among their peers. Employers tell us that knowing a job candidate has proven leadership potential gives them a unique edge over the competition.

Simply put, the Young Leaders Award is a nationally-recognised qualification that makes your students more attractive to universities and employers alike, while enhancing the reputation of your school or college.

To find out more go to https://www.i-l-m.com/working-with-ilm

Rotary GB&I President Denis Spiller will be joining us at the Council meeting, and one of his first duties will be to Charter the Rotaract Club of Luton sponsored by the Rotary Club of Luton Someries. This is the first active Rotaract Club for many years and is starting with a healthy 14 members. It is based at Tokko and is a follow on from the Interact Club that meets there. There will be a lunch on the 22nd March to welcome Denis – watch out for the invitation.

End Polio Now: Giving is up which is great to see. Nearly all clubs have taken up the Governor Challenge, with some great ideas and with the result that there will be a fantastic amount raised for both EPN and own charities.

Denis Spiller’s Banger Rally in May, has attracted a good number of entrants, but they are looking for more (Non from our district so far). Although Mary W and I are considering entering!!! As part of this, we need to have a venue within our District that the visiting teams go to, to get their stamp. This is in hand and an announcement will be made shortly.

GDPR:- A paper has gone out to all clubs from Rotary GB&I, promising more to come! This will be pushed, so that our members will have the opportunity to ensure that their club and members are compliant. Dates to come.

Rotary 2:- Watch the new videos that have been produced. Particularly notable are Bentley Cheshire and Maidenhead Bridge videos – innovative, inspiring, transforming, new clubs.. The reaction to them is very positive, and it is hoped that they will help with membership over the remainder of this Rotary year and into the next.

Rotary Garden:-Stoke Mandeville Spinal Unit. Money has been pledged and is starting to come in. I will have an update hopefully by the Council on the dates the money is required. I am also pursuing a set visit date for Rotary to both gardens if possible before the official opening. Please can you ensure your contributions get to Cedric pronto.

PLEASE REMEMBER TO SIGN UP FOR OUR ‘IN-DISTRICT’ CONFERENCE.
16TH-17TH JUNE AT DE HAVILLAND CAMPUS, HERTFORDHSIRE UNIVERSITY.

All details are on the district website: rotary1260conference.org.uk

CONTACT MIKE THORPEmike@mailord.co.uk

Bye for now!

Cheryl
District Governor

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Rotary GB&I President Dennis Spiller

Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland’s President, Denis Spiller, is determined to break down a few barriers and reconfigure public perception with the goal of pushing membership through the 50,000 barrier by 2020.

Membership Growth: Whose Responsibility is it Anyway?

This is a story about four brothers named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody. (Courtesy of the Rotary Club of Portmore, Jamaica.)

There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it but Nobody did it. Somebody got angry with that because it was Everybody’s job. Everybody thought Anybody could do it but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn’t do it. It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done.

Who is responsible for attracting new members, retaining present members, and by extension growing the Club’s membership? You Are. Yes You!  So you’re just a member? That doesn’t matter. Realise that membership is your business, just as much as it is that of the club President or Membership Chair, and take responsibility for the growth of your club.

Take personal responsibility for sharing Rotary with someone. Take personal responsibility for inviting a work colleague, a neighbour, a friend, to your Club’s meeting, project, or social activity. Take personal responsibility for making your Club’s visitors feel welcome when they attend your meetings. Take personal responsibility for building your club.

For your Club’s membership to grow, you simply cannot be like Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody. You just can’t. Let us not allow Everybody’s Responsibility to become Nobody’s Responsibility.

The bottom line is this: Every member is responsible for the growth of his/her club’s membership.

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What Lies Behind The Logo?

This past week we have just celebrated the 113th anniversary of the founding in 1905 of this great organisation by Paul Harris. As Rotary continued to grow Paul Harris was very keen on promoting the difference Rotary can make in our communities. He once said “If people aren’t exposed to Rotary, how are they going to know all the things we do and accomplish?”

However, the key is to connect the Rotary logo to everything we do through good publicity. Publicity of events and projects is essential through club websites, Facebook, local free magazines, newspapers (printed / electronic) and other social media platforms. When cheques are presented to a charity ensure that it mentions Rotary on social media etc. Done consistently the community will begin to learn more about Rotary. This in turn may produce a membership dividend.

How to find Rotary Logo's and create your own Rotary brand compliant logo's for your club, Facebook cover images, posters and advertisements.

Go to Rotary.org > My Rotary > Brand Center (A My Rotary Account is needed - click 'For Members' > Register for Account).  You can also visit the Public Image area of the Members Only section of this site for further guidance.

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Conference Update

If you and your Club are hoping to take full advantage of the weekend activities, please book early to avoid disappointment.  Go to http://www.rotary1260conference.org.uk/

To make the most of your time, you may wish to stay at one of the local hotels. There is a wide choice in close proximity, or easy travelling distance to the University.

To facilitate those attending the Dinner on Saturday, please note there is no strict dress code – come as you are. 

A full bar provision is available and after dinner you will be able to enjoy Rotary’s favourite musical group – Shades of Midnight.  

Sunday will be a celebration of how Rotary has and continues to help young people.  Inspirational Speaker who will be speaking on the Sunday morning, 17th June 2018. Make sure your booked in, you won't want to miss this.

Anne Wafula Strike MBE, provides a personal example of courage, commitment and determination that challenges misconceptions about disability. Athlete, author, and sporting ambassador, Anne inspires achievement and excellence across a broad range of life situations.

From contracting polio as a very small child, you will learn of the many struggles she had to overcome in Kenya to achieve her first goal of getting an education and going to university to become a first class teacher herself.

After the birth of her son, Tim, she took up sport and became a Paralympian within 3 years and had a distinguished career in wheelchair racing, which saw her travel the world to compete against her peers.

We will also take a look back at our last year in District 1260, with the announcement of the District awards to Clubs. Most especially, Sunday will mark the launch of the 2018/19 Rotary year, with the Presidential Handover.  Following the end of Conference you and your friends can enjoy a traditional Sunday lunch.

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Forthcoming Workshops

Rotakids and Interact Workshop
Thursday 8 March 2018
Venue: Holiday Inn, Breakspear Way, Hemel Hempstead HP2 4UA

Online District Directory Workshop
Thursday 29 March 2018
Venue: Holiday Inn, Breakspear Way, Hemel Hempstead HP2 4UA

All workshops are on Thursday at 7 for 7pm

Contact us at Leadership and Development in District 1260 at: jennymuir01@gmail.com

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A ROYAL ANNOUNCEMENT

It is with great pleasure we can announce that Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal will be joining us at the 93rd annual conference in Torquay, on the afternoon of Saturday 7th April.

Her Royal Highness is an Honorary Member of the Rotary Club of Elgin. We are thrilled that The Princess Royal will be able to meet delegates, visit the Showcase Exhibition and hear some inspiring speakers in the new Saturday afternoon plenary session.

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For recent news around the Distirict visit the Club News Section
For upcoming Events, check out the District Calendar