DG Jack's March Message
DG JACK'S MARCH MESSAGE
To start off this month’s note to the outstanding Rotarians of Southern Ontario and Western New York, I have to apologize one more time for a misstatement in last month’s newsletter. Under pressure to get a note out for the February District Newsletter BEFORE March 1, I managed to insult seventy-six exemplary Rotarians from our vibrant Rotary Club in Batavia, NY. Having been with them when they presented a $10,000 check to the End Polio Now campaign, and having visited their club five days later to thank them in person, I managed to credit an equally vibrant club – Lockport – for the donation when I was hurriedly writing my Newsletter note.
They warned me that the job of Governor could take its toll physically (it really hasn’t). No-one warned me that the brain might start playing tricks on me. I can only apologize to Batavia, promise to take my meds on a daily basis, and triple-check everything I write from now on.
Seriously, KUDOS to Dan Fischer, Donna and Paul Saskowski and Ed Leising and ALL of the great members of the Batavia Rotary Club for their generous support of Rotary’s work to eradicate polio.
One good thing came of my error – I realized that a LOT of Rotarians DO read the Newsletter. In case there was any doubt before, I have heard from a LOT of folks trying to set me straight. I only hope that the Batavia Rotarians will forgive me in time to allow me to attend their 100th birthday as a club in four years.
Now, just one thought that I’d like to share with you for this month. As Mike and I visit clubs (I will be glad to join any of our clubs in celebrating a Rotary Day, a Paul Harris Fellowship night an Installation Dinner or a fund-raiser – if it’s humanly possible to attend) I continue to be amazed at what a great group of people make up this world-class Rotary district, District 7090. I even got to walk with one of my “giants” (if you were listening when I spoke at your club, you know what I mean) Roy Sheldrick. I’ve tried to tell Roy’s story so many times to Rotarians far and wide that I think I may know it nearly as well as he does. On the 24th of March, the city of Hamilton, Ontario AGAIN honored Roy with the 11th Annual World Water Day Walkathon which raises funds for Roy’s Haiti Water for Life project. And Roy was kind enough to let me walk with them.
So this note is one of thanks – thanks to the Batavia Rotarians for forgiving me, thanks to all who have extended the hand of friendship to “Mike” and me and thanks to my giants – folks like Roy, who make such a difference in the world.
Thanks to ALL of you for all that you do FOR and IN THE NAME OF Rotary.
DG Jack