District Governor's Introduction 2017-18

I have a lot to be thankful for in being your District Governor for 2017-18 and leading our Rotarian’s to share ideas and take action!

Firstly what I admire most is the support and hard work from my wife Fiona, that will largely will go unnoticed throughout the year as her quiet approach to getting the job done supports me as I front our Rotary District. Please acknowledge your partners who provide the necessary support to achieve the essential family, work and Rotary life balance.

 

In 1991 I was sponsored into Rotary by Rotary Club of Panmure stalwart and my mentor Percy Eaton PHF. Percy was the retired Charter Principal of the Pt England Primary School and held high personal and Rotary ethical standards to meet the Four Way Test. This provided me with an amazing start in to my Rotary years.

 

Please consider my example of putting back into Rotary to achieve more for our fellow Rotarians. In 1992 I was successful in becoming the first NZ Firefighter to attend the US National Fire Academy. This was a massive achievement and when I announced this to my Rotary Club, the President and local dentist, Dr Jon Cole, recognised the significance for me and my Fire Service career. He announced that the Rotary Club would assist me to achieve this goal through sponsorship of my air fares. Little did he or the club members know that this investment in me would be the catalyst for a huge flotilla of actions that would shape my career journey, the Fire Service and my future Rotary endeavours and achievements. The point really is, look for and support opportunities that your Rotary Club can invest in ourselves as Rotarians, as we will create better Rotarians and members of our communities that will pay back the investment in many, many ways.

In our Rotary District 9940, please encourage your Club to achieve our annual goals noted in the Presidential Citation by being part of:
Doing Good in Your Community, Service Projects, End Polio Now, Public Image and Awareness of Rotary, Rotary Leadership Institute, Club Development & Memberhsip, Wildbase Recovery, Local Volunteer Fire Brigades, Local Council Projects, plant a tree for every Rotarian, Rotary Action Group for Endangered Species, Peace & Conflict Resolution, Vocational Training Team / Group Cultural Exchange, Usborne Dictionaries and Atlas for Schools.

Our annual celebration of the achievements of Rotary in our communities, our district and internationally will culminate at RotaFEST - a Festival of Rotary, 11-13 May in Palmerston North. The international first native bird rehabilitation centre, Wildbase Recovery, will open in May as part of RotaFEST. This Rotary inspired and funding supported project has close relationships with Massey University and Palmerston North City Council. A great reason to Go Wild About Rotary.

So in Rotary District 9940 in the 2017-18 year can I ask you to Go Wild About Rotary in our clubs and communities, so all our endeavours ensure we as Rotarian’s met our goals in the Presidential Citation and achieve our Rotary International theme - Rotary: Making a Difference.

MITCHELL BROWN
GOVERNOR 2017-18
DISTRICT 9940