Chatterbox 0811 - Rotary Club of Belper

District Governor’s Newsletter for August 2011
Already we are in August and the past five weeks have passed so quickly. I have
now completed official visits to sixteen Clubs, with two being joint meetings. All
the Clubs have made me most welcome and there have been many questions, most
of which have been constructive. One striking fact is the determination by most of
the Clubs to increase membership and already we have seen new names on APAC,
but I do know of some new members who have not yet been entered on the system
so can I ask secretaries to keep APAC up to date so I can write and welcome these
new members. Please appoint someone in your Club to act as a mentor for these
new members so they can become involved in activities and learn what Rotary is
about.
I have attended also 11 Social events including the District 22 Inner Wheel
Induction. I would like to thank the ladies of Inner Wheel for making Lorraine and
me so welcome and I wish District Chairman Sue Curley well for her year. Whilst
attending the Rotary Club of Ripley’s Songs of Praise I was introduced to Rotarian
George Lowe who has been a member of the Club for nearly 60 years. At the grand
age of 98 he is still attending meetings and is as enthusiastic as ever about the
organization. I therefore applied for a long service award for him and I presented
him with it together with a personal letter of congratulations from RI President
Kalyan.
These Social events are very enjoyable and help me to get to know the Clubs
better; Lorraine and I will try to join you for some of these but remember there are
only 365 days in a year. Please will you let me have a copy of your newsletters or
bulletin so I can see what you are planning and if I can fit any functions into the diary
I will do so.
I have sent out a separate appeal for the disaster in the Horn of Africa, where
millions of people are on the move and many thousands dying. Please do all you can
to help these people whether it is by supporting Shelter Box, Aquabox or donations
to the D.E.C.
District sports events start in September with the outdoor bowls on the 4th. I
look forward to seeing you there and hope the weather is as kind as last year.
September is also New Generations month and I can see from all the Club Assembly
reports that there is a lot of activity planned for the year in this area. Please
re-establish links with the schools as soon as they re-open. In just a few weeks the
Charter season will begin, I look forward to attending these as they are a celebration
of Rotary Service in your area.
Hope your Conference Registration form is winging its way to Registration
Officer David Power as the cost of registering increases as from 23rd August!
Enjoy Rotary and remember, “Always look on the bright side of life”
DG Gordon
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