District Governors December Message
District Governor Martin’s December MessageRotarians in District 9940 have had a very busy year. Denise and I are impressed with the wide range of community activities and the huge number of volunteer hours that Rotarians donate to support their community and those overseas.
We have now visited 53 of our District’s 55 Clubs and there is something quite different about each Club. I highlight some of the differences in my blog at http://d9940.blogspot.co.nz/ so that you can all get a taste of what other Clubs are doing – whether it is attracting new members, renewing aspects of a Club, starting a new Interact Club, or carrying out innovative projects that make a significant impact.
One area in which Rotarians have a huge impact is in disease prevention and treatment, which is this month’s Rotary theme. While Rotary’s biggest international project aims to eradicate polio, there are many other projects we support in our communities such as providing equipment, like hoists and diagnostic machines, to hospices and hospitals and supporting our research institutes to help find treatments for disease.
This year, seven of the 13 Rotary Foundation District Grants were made to Clubs for projects supporting disease prevention and treatment – a music programme to help sufferers of Alzheimers, support for the Parkinsons’ Society, research equipment for the Gillies McIndoe Research Institute, an early childhood hygiene education programme, surgical equipment for Samoa, a diagnostic ultrasound machine for a hospital, and the fit out of an ambulance.
I find the diversity of different interests and projects in Rotary one of our organisation’s most attractive features. If there is a need and we have a particular interest we are able to work with others to do something to meet that need. There are also many Rotary resources and groups to provide information and support.
You may be interested in joining a Rotarian Action Group. RAGs deal with everything from diabetes, to multiple sclerosis, to water and sanitation, to malaria and more. You can find a list of interests and how to join here.
We also have to look after our own health and wellbeing. After such an active year, Denise and I hope you all have a very relaxing summer break.