District Governor's Newsletter - April 2019

DG Dave writes

April is Maternal and Child Healthcare Month and with that in mind we must keep on persevering with raising the awareness of Rotary’s challenge to eradicate Polio. We must keep on giving to End Polio Now so that no new children will contract this debilitating disease and hopefully one day very soon we will be able to claim success.

With less than three months to go, the life of the DG does not get any less busy. We enjoyed a wonderful visit to our contact Club of Hilden-Haan near Dusseldorf, followed the following day by celebrating my 60th birthday at Newport Pagnell’s Jaipur Limb Dinner. Visits have been undertaken to Wendover and Welwyn Garden City, where I am delighted to report the induction of six new Rotarians, all of them ladies. I was also present for the induction of two new members into Stevenage (one of whom was a former Global Scholar) and the presentation of their charter to the Rotary Club of Ampthill Park Flexi.  A lovely evening of music was enjoyed at the Royston Youth makes Music and just last weekend seeing our representative in the Regional Final of Young Musician, sponsored by Amersham, win through to the National Final on 4th May.

The highlight for me though was the presentation to the E & N Herts NHS Trust of the Fibroscanner on 19th March. The Lister Hospital were overjoyed to receive this life saving piece of equipment and I would just like to say a final big thankyou to all those Clubs in 1260 who made this possible.

Visits to Biggleswade for their Charter Lunch, Amwell to talk about Rotary 2, Amersham for more inductions, Aylesbury and Woburn Sands for their St George’s Day Dinner will be taking place later this month

A reminder that District Assembly is taking place on 27th April at the Chalkhills Academy in Luton. All Rotarians are welcome and not just Club Officers. Mary has put together a very interesting program with something for everyone!

Finally, it is with a very heavy heart that I have to report on the passing of Past District Governor Malcolm Gomm. A lovely man and a true character

Dave Ford DG

Conference Update

Finishing touches are now being given to the programme of events, speakers and entertainers.

Hosted by the District Governor Dave and assisted by Wendy, the Conference is designed to celebrate Rotary achievements at home and further afield.  It also provides an ideal vehicle to renew old friendships and hopefully develop new ones.

Please arrive in good time to ensure you can join in the first event on Friday at the BBQ.

If you intend to be a really early bird, there is an opportunity to pay a visit to Rotary GB&I HQ at Alcester.  There will be two tours at 2.30 and 3.30pm. You need to be booked in and be able to make your own way to the HQ.  If you would like to see where the coordination of Rotary in GB and Ireland takes place, please email paul.manning3@ntlworld.com and confirm your wish to attend and which tour you would ideally like to take.  The allocation of places will be on a first come basis and you need to have your visit confirmed by a return email.

If you have booked in as a delegate, please keep a check on your emails, as it is intended, about two weeks prior to the Conference, that further briefing information will be sent to you.

Now looking beyond June to 2020 there is an opportunity for you to become actively involved in the planning and delivery of two Conferences – 29th February and 9th October.  Organised by the District Standing Conference Committee, initial details of the venues will be released at the District Assembly on 27th April.   However, there is a need to refresh the Committee, as certain members are standing down and if you have an interest and can give about 4 days a year, plus attending the events, I would like to hear from you.

Paul Manning

Nottingham Showcase Update

Rotary adds Ade to Showcase line up!

Back by popular demand, we’re delighted to welcome Paralympian and broadcaster Ade Adepitan to the Rotary Conference and Showcase line up!
 
With a host of inspirational stories to tell, Ade has proved one of our most popular Conference speakers ever.
 
He will be joining us on Saturday 11th May for the ‘Polio – Nearly There’ session alongside a host of other polio ambassadors, survivors and experts.
 
There is plenty to see, hear and learn across the whole Showcase weekend.
 
We’re kicking off with a Meet the Presidents afternoon tea on Friday 10th May before heading into a jam-packed Saturday which includes the ‘Rotary Home and Abroad’ session and a powerful Modern Slavery Symposium with world-renowned speakers.
 
Bringing the weekend to an inspirational close are the national finals of the Rotary Young Citizen Awards and Rotary Youth Speaks competition.
 
There are a host of packages available from full weekend to single day registrations.
 
Online booking closes at 5pm on Monday 22nd April so don’t delay and book your tickets now!
 
Only on-site registrations are permitted.

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