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DG Robert Morris, like his predecessors, visits all the
District 1130 Clubs in which he gives a keynote speech outlining his objectives
for the year.
As our eClub has no 'earthly venue' Robert has asked us
to present it online. Below is a précis of the main points. The full
speech is available
<here> as a PDF document. |
DG Robert Morris with
IPDG Colin Bryant
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The last Rotary year saw us celebrating 100 years of
the organisation, where we raised the Public Image of Rotary. We need to
continue and develop this year. This is not just about high profile events, it
is also about using what I term our corporate name and positive promotional
material wherever we are; perhaps in the form of a pull-up Rotary display or
through your Club website. Ensure that the Rotary wheel is on display whenever
and wherever your Club is out in public.
Rotary Youth competitions, such as Youth Speaks and
Young Chef are well established within London. However, our own involvement in
Youth Exchange and in Youth Leadership is currently not so good. Can you
consider sending a young person on a short-term exchange or a camp or consider
a Rotary Youth Leadership Award course.
We are so near to the eradication of Polio, but success
of the campaign can be no less then total eradication of polio worldwide. We
must continue to support this. Not only would this be only the second disease
that mankind has ever eradicated, Rotary would become the only non-Governmental
body to ever have achieved that phenomenal success.
The RI President has set a challenge, in the form of a
Citation. This will be awarded for showing involvement in several aspects of
Rotary service. Please complete and return it to me later in the year. One
important aspect of the challenge set by Carl-Wilhelm is for your Club to
increase its net membership by one person during the year. Just one
member net increase. Do remember that good retention is as important to that
success as is getting of new members.
Last year saw the successful formation of two new
Rotary Clubs, who recently celebrated their Charter Nights and first social and
fund raising events. Also, there is another at Enfield Chase hopefully close to
a formal Inauguration and two other potential Club locations are being worked
on.
One of the RIBI Preferred Projects for us to consider
and support this year is Hearing Dogs for Deaf People. For those who cannot
rely on hearing, a trained dog is invaluable to register the door bell or the
alarm. Mercy Ships is the other of this year’s RIBI Preferred Projects.
(prop) Mercy Ships are hospital ships providing life saving and life changing
operations to those poorest regions of the world; where normal medical care as
we know it doesn’t or just can’t reach.
We must not lose sight of Rotary’s own Foundation
charity. Amongst other things this promotes World peace and understanding
through its Ambassadorial Scholars and Group Study Exchanges. This year we will
be holding a two way exchange with District 3040, which primarily covers Madrah
Pradesh in Central India.
Let me conclude with a quote quote from Past RI
President Bhichai Rattakul; who some of you may well know was also Deputy Prime
Minister in Thailand. He said:
"Active club service leads to vital clubs with
dedicated members. And active Club Service thrives in an atmosphere committed
to upholding Rotary’s philosophy and the timeless principles that have
made our fellowship strong. Strong clubs are essential to Rotary’s overall
health.”
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