District Governor's Newsletter - January 2019

DG Dave Writes ....

I hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas and after having spent two weeks laying in the Mexican sun I am now feeling totally refreshed and ready to start the second half of my DG year.

January is Vocational Service month and I would just like to remind you that when Paul Harris founded our wonderful organisation, it was as a Business Networking group, the Service aspect came later. Business networking is not a dirty word and we must convince our members of this and hopefully be able to recruit new members with this in mind. I would also like to encourage more of our members to use their vocational skills both past and present to help mentor the younger generation to again create membership opportunities.

I know a great number of Rotarians and Clubs were very busy during the month of December collecting many thousands of pounds for some wonderful causes and would just like to remind you that the Rotary Foundation and End Polio Now are our very own Charities and if just a percentage of the funds raised could be donated to these it would do a great deal of good.

I started off December by inducting four new members into the Rotary Satellite Club of Milton Keynes, giving presentations to Biggleswade Ivel and Luton Clubs and attending the Winslow Festival of Voices. A truly wonderful evening and I would heartily recommend it next year. Christmas Dinners with the two Stevenage Clubs and my very own Brookmans Park Club, then the morning spent at the Brookmans Park Primary School dressed in the big red suit and finally the Ware Christmas Lunch and the Five Clubs Carol Service at Haileybury School as well as attending the Memorial Service for our well loved District Treasurer Cedric. A busy month but the best news was the chartering of our 59th and newest Club, the Rotary Club of Ampthill Park Flexi on 10th December, so a warm welcome to them.

January is looking equally busy with visits planned to Bedford, St Albans Priory and Buckingham, District Youth Speaks semi-finals together with the District Quiz which is being organised by Hitchin Tilehouse. Get your thinking caps on and your teams entered.

Wishing everyone a peaceful and prosperous New Year and let us all continue Being the Inspiration.

Serving up an exciting new fundraising activity.

To kick off 2019, we're launching an exciting new activity - Fill Your Plate for Polio.

The idea is simple. Bringing people together from across your community for food and drink gathering to collect vital funds to support vulnerable children around the world.

This is the perfect way to mark Rotary Day on (or close to) 23rd February 2019 and is the latest Purple4Polio activity which clubs have the option to get involved in.

This activity does not impinge on any plans clubs may have to host a World's Greatest Meal event during 2019.

How to get involved

Simply decide on your event, choose a date, download materials, register your event to appear on our new event map, collect donations and have fun!

A Rotary Club Briefing Note has been put together to give a detailed set of hints and tips to make Fill Your Plate for Polio a real success.

We have also produced a simple Guide for the Public, making it even easier to get our communities involved, as well as Rotary clubs!

Information can also be found on our website.

Supporting Materials

To bring your event to life, we have created a number of electronic resources for you to print locally.

• Two sided event fundraising poster (A3 or A4) – promote your event and share you success
• Polio information poster (A3 or A4) – this also makes a great placemat for your meal
• Guest invitation (A5)
• Table name cards
• Fundraising tin label

Conference Update

Booking forms for the District Conference 2019 can be downloaded from the Conference website www.rotary1260conference.org.uk

Get your booking in and make sure you don't miss out  on any of the functions.

Check out the website and see the fantastic programme the Conference committee has lined-up for you.

On Sunday 23rd June 2019 we are pleased to announce that Steve Nallon will be one of our guest speakers.

Steve Nallon is an actor, writer and voice artist. He began work as a performer in 1976 on the Northern Working Men's Club circuit in his home county of Yorkshire. After University he went on to became a founder team member of the cult television series SPITTING IMAGE, providing voices for Roy Hattersley, Margaret Thatcher, David Attenborough, Bruce Forsyth, David Frost, Alan Bennett and many more. Since then Steve has worked as an actor in all aspects of the media from film and television to radio and theatre.

As a writer he has made contributions to many magazines and books, written extensively for radio and has recently completed his first novel.

Don't forget that the registration fee goes up to £50 per person after the 31st January 2019.

District 1260 is offering an eleven-day multi-cultural exchange in 2019.

Would members of your club, like to be involved and host a couple of young guests from Overseas?

This is a biannual event which brings together youngsters between 15 and 17 years old from a huge range of countries.

They get to stay in pairs with Rotarians, for three nights and then transfer to a youth hostel for a week, where loads of activities are laid on for them.  Guests in each household will be from different countries, but of the same gender. 

Dates: Next year home hosting is from 10th July to 13th July 2019.  Transfer to an airport for departure: 20th July 2019 will also need to be covered by the hosting clubs as well as collection from the airport on the 10th July.

PLEASE CONTACT the following with offers of accommodation:

Lavinia Hale,       St Albans Priory
Ken Scott,           St Albans Priory
Alan Doggett       Hitchin Tilehouse

Proposed Itinerary:
Wednesday July 10th - guests arrive. Home hospitality until
Saturday July 13th - afternoon transfer to Youth Hostel and settle in
Sunday   July 14th - day in London, including river trip and shopping. Return late evening
Monday / Tuesday / Wednesday 15th - 17th professionally managed activities, at the Youth Hostel
Thursday July 18th - Full day sightseeing in Cambridge
Friday July 19th - local walk, swimming and pub lunch
Friday July 19th - evening - final night presentation and farewell party, host families welcome
Saturday July 20th - packing then depart hostel for home with member of hosting club.

Develop your skill with Rotary

Photography, P.I. Tool
Thursday 21st February 2019 - Stevenage
Thursday 7th March 2019 - Hemel Hempstead

Stevenage - Novotel, Knebworth Park Stevenage, SG1 2XS
Hemel Hempstead - Holiday Inn, Breakspear Way, Hemel Hempstead HP2 4UA

All workshops are on Thursday at 7 for 7p.

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