District Governors Newsletter - May 2018

DG writes…..
May 2018 – Month Focus Youth Service

May is a great month to focus on Youth Service. With Young Chef just finished and Regional Finals of Youth Speaks and Young Musician having just taken place, along with other youth competitions, it is a great reminder of the hours of dedication that Rotarians give to help the young people in our midst.

I think it is a good time to thank all of our Youth teams for their dedication, and the District Youth Team for all the work they carry out throughout the year. Over the last month or so I have had the privilege of attending Technology Tournaments, Youth Speak District Final, Youth Speak Regional Finals and the Young Musician Regional Finals. On each of these occasions I have felt immensely proud of the character, hard work, dedication and fun these young people have displayed. We only just missed out on a place at the Rotary GB&I final for Young Musician, but we do have a very worthy finalist in Youth Speaks, which is being held in Exmouth in May. So well done to Roger Phillips and his amazing team, and of course to all of you who work tirelessly in your local schools and communities..

Ten months through the Rotary year and we are all looking forward to what the new year brings. But first, let us take a look at what has happened in the wider picture of Rotary, particularly in Rotary GB&I.

There has been a specific drive to modernise Rotary and develop new clubs and satellite groups. This has resulted in 250 new groups of one sort or another being formed across the country. These on the whole are made up of people who wouldn’t normally get to a more traditional meeting. They often meet at the weekend, perhaps in a coffee shop or a pub. The age profile is much younger, although they do incorporate a variety of ages, and some are more family based. They do not have a history of regalia and formality, and so this aspect of Rotary is not used.

So are they Rotarians, is the group really a Rotary group?

The simple answer is yes, they are Rotarians and yes the groups are part of the Rotary family. Their aims and objectives are the same as the traditional Rotarian, to use their skills and gifts to help others, locally, nationally and sometimes internationally. They are project based, and often have a different structure to a traditional club, not having committees, but project groups. One aspect that has returned to these groups, is that they are mostly working people, and they are able to network within their group and with other Rotarians.

I’ve met quite a few new Rotarians within our District but also from other Districts, and they are enthusiastic, energised and are making a difference.

We have a great Membership Team, and some fantastic resources you can borrow, so let’s work together to further Rotary in our District.

In my final message next month I will give you the update on the Rotary Garden and the District Governor Chgallenge.

Cheryl
DG

Rotary GB&I President Handover

An evening of dinner and dancing (with a difference) awaits at the Presidential Handover (‘Handover Hoe Down’) on Saturday 7th July 2018.

A barn dance in a real barn on a real farm to include a hog roast (vegetarian option available if pre-ordered ) dessert and cash bar.

Event Details:
Date: Saturday 7th July 2018
Time: 7.30pm for 8.00pm
Venue: At the farm of Past President Rotary Club of Ware Mr. S Findlay, Little Briggens, Hunsdon Road, Stansted Abbots, SG12 8LW
Cost: £25.00 per person
Dress Code: Casual

Registration / Payment

For more information and to register visit Presidential Handover Registration. Please may I ask that you share the link with your District

A limited number of places are available and to avoid disappointment we recommend booking at your earliest opportunity.

Should you have any queries please contact Antonia Williams (01789 765411 ext 4) antonia.williams@rotarygbi.org.

Membership Ideas - One Size Fits All !!!

Well in terms of membership recruitment this was NOT the case. On Saturday 21st April the first District Membership Seminar, hosted by the current membership team, was held at Tilsworth Golf Club and 31 clubs attended the 4 hour seminar.

We listened to a fabulous presentation from Lisa a founder member of Maidenhead Bridge. Lisa is a former National President of Rotaract. This club meets twice a month on a Sunday morning in a room above a Costa Coffee shop where all are welcome including children. They offer a fresh modern look to Rotary going forward, It’s low cost but has high impact in the local community and if you have not seen the video produced by Rotary GB&I then take a look.

We also had a presentation from Steve, President of the District 1070 e- club. Their regular meetings are held Online using free technology that allows them all to see everyone attending the meeting on the screen in front of them. Again it’s low cost, no travelling, no parking issues, no barrier to distance and fully inclusive to any less able members. They do of course come together for socials and specific fund raising events.

We also had an insight into a newly formed satellite club and everyone got to take a look at some of the new kit your membership team now has available. Pictured is the double sided back drop display that can be used at any event to publicise Rotary. We also have a number of pull up banners, feather flags, a display kiosk not forgetting the district gazebo. We have a whole range of new modern information post cards which are available for the cost of postage only. All the display kit is available to your club free of charge if you are having an event where you can raise awareness of what Rotary has to offer.

The District membership team is here to help you. If you are keen to grow your membership then talk to us soon.

 Contact - Paul Johnson rpjcuffley@gmail.com