District Governor's Newsletter - April 2018

The DG Writes ......

 Happy Easter! I hope you have all had a great Easter holiday, whether that has been with family, your Rotary friends or indeed a nice sunny beach somewhere (or for some snow).  

The focus for April is Maternal and Child Health. This is something that I have been involved in for many years, through my charitable work and church. Transforming the lives of Mothers and children will and does transform countries. There are many ways in which we can help to make a difference, through projects that are already running, or looking at needs that our members can help with. There may even be some in your local area.

We are in to the last quarter of the year, and an exciting few months it is going to be. There is the Rotary GB&I Conference in Torquay, at which HRH The Princess Royal will speak.

Our Membership seminar on the 21st April, where we are bringing in Rotarians to speak who have had great success with new membership recruitment. They will be able to tell you about just how they got people along and what happened next. This is open to anyone who has a real interest in seeing Rotary grow.

The 28th April is our re-arranged PEPS at the Fielder Centre – that pesky snow again. It will be a great day, with lots of interaction and opportunities to ask questions.

Most of my club visits have been done and it’s been great meeting you all. Please do invite me along to any events you are having, especially if you would like me to help out.

The trees challenge from RI President Ian Riseley is due this month. Please do put your numbers in to Rotary Club Central so that we can see how many trees have been planted across our District. If you need help with this, let me know.

The Governor Challenge is going extremely well, thank you so much..

The Rotary Garden at Stoke Mandeville Spinal Unit is now nearly completed, and the monies are due to be paid out. At the present time just over £2,000 of the £5,000 has come in. It would be a great shame for Rotary to lose this fantastic opportunity. For those clubs who have decided to donate £100  or more, please can you ensure that the money is transferred through to our District Treasurer Cedric asap, or at least let him know it is coming.  Thanks.

Rotary GB&I President Denis Spiller really enjoyed his flying visit to our District, where he presented the Charter to the Rotaract Club of Luton. It was great seeing them resurrecting the regalia from the old Rotaract Club, (their choice), and meeting a few of them at our Council meeting. Please do think about starting a Rotaract Club in your area, and do ask for any help or guidance.

Let’s make this a great three months, and don’t forget to get your conference registrations in.

Cheryl
DG

Rotary Grand Tour

Presidential Message: April 2018
Dennis Spiller, President, Rotary International Great Britain & Ireland, 2017-18

We now have 24 confirmed Check and Rest Points for the Rotary Purple4Polio Grand Tour.

This drive to wipe out polio is hitting the highways in May and is looking for drivers, and their teams, to take part. Members of the public, Rotarians, friends and families in vehicles of all shapes and sizes can register now for an adventure around Britain.

All are welcome to join this exciting and inspiring road trip from 21st – 24th May 2018, visiting as many of the Rotary check and photo points as is safely possible and raising money for the End Polio Now campaign.

Entering is easy: You organise your team, car and route, then decide where you want to stay whilst raising as much sponsorship as possible.

Rotary Tree Challenge

With forests all over the world at risk of disappearing, Rotary is combatting this with the tree-mendous Tree Challenge.

Supported by the UK’s largest conservation charity, Woodland Trust, supply of trees and advice is available, with special packs of 45 trees available for 62GBP. Alternatively, you can donate 2.50GBP per tree to the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust scheme in Nidderdale or to an overseas project under the Sustainable Global Gardens Trust run by Paul Keeley of the Rotary Club of Newcastle Gosforth. 

For more information, visit the website or email Rotarian Terry Knowles.

Conference Update

Places for the weekend activities are filling up, so to avoid any disappointment download your booking form from the website below and send or post your registration form to Mike Thorpe. 
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, Anne Wafula Strike MBE, who will be speaking on the Sunday morning, 17th June 2018.

Membership Seminar

AT TILSWORTH GOLF CENTRE ON SATURDAY 21st APRIL 9 for 9.30 START

We would like to offer all Membership Chairs and all Rotarians who have an interest in Membership to come along and find out how a new flexible and innovative Club is formed and how it runs. Find out all about E-Clubs from a successful one. Hear from two of our own Satellite Clubs about how they were set up and how they recruited new members. View several videos about the new vision of Rotary and join a discussion on retaining current members.
Free refreshments will be available during the course of the morning or more substantial offerings can be purchased from the bar.
Please encourage your members to attend and help take Rotary to a brighter future.
Could you please e-mail DGE Dave Ford with your names and numbers. We are limited to numbers so attendees will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

Dave Ford
District Governor Elect

President's Elect Preparation Seminar (PEPS)

Hello Everyone,

I’m pleased to say that we have a new date for PEPS – Saturday 28th April.  I’m hoping that this will mean that those who were up the Amazon or down the Congo will be able to join us this time!

On behalf of District Governor 2018-19 Dave Ford, I have pleasure in inviting you to attend the President’s Elect Preparation Seminar. This will be held on Saturday 28th April 2018 at:

The Fielder Centre, Hatfield Business Park, Hatfield Ave, Hatfield AL10 9TP
http://conferencehertfordshire.co.uk/venues/fielder-centre/

As a recap:

Registration will be available from 9am and the first session will begin promptly at 9.30am.

 The District Team will be able to access the venue from 7.30am to set up the market stalls. You have already had the final programme and agenda. However, that will be updated when we know of any cancelled attendances.

There will be tea and coffee on arrival and available throughout the day.

A full lunch, with gluten free and vegetarian options will be provided by the Fielder Centre. (The lunch is so nice, I usually have two helpings!). Please let me know if you have any other dietary requirements,

The charge for this and the seminar is £15, payable by cash or cheque on arrival.

Please would you contact me as soon as possible to confirm your attendance.

I will send you an agenda a week beforehand.

Best wishes,

Jenny Muir
Rotary District 1260, Chair L&D Team

District Assembly

Dear Presidents, Presidents Elect, Secretaries, Treasurers and all Club members,

On behalf of District Governor 2018 -19 Dave Ford, I have great pleasure in inviting you to District Assembly 2018.

This date has been in the District Diary for a year and I’m sure that everyone knows it. However, for clarity:

Date:            Saturday 19th May 2018

Time:            09.45am – 2.00pm (Registration from 9am)

Venue:          Chalk Hills Academy, Leagrave High Street, Luton, LU4 0NE

                      Fully accessible.

                      Tea and coffee will be available from 9.00am and at the break. Charge of £3.00 to include both sessions. Payable at Registration                      

There will be specific events for Incoming Presidents, Club Treasurers and Club Secretaries.

There will also be workshops for Youth, Compliance, New Members. Rotary Showcase, Membership and others too.

The objective is to give members good information on their particular area of interest while giving everyone the opportunity to look at other areas too. If you have a member who has not attended a District Assembly before this is the chance to widen their knowledge of Rotary and to acquire new skills.

This email is the first in a series to alert you to District Assembly.

The next email you will receive will have a Registration Form attached and a list of available workshops. At this point, you will be asked to select four workshops.

Jenny Muir
District 1260 - Chair, Leadership and Development

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