DG Kevin's June Message

As we bask in the warm summer sun, enjoying backyard barbecues, trips to the beach, cottage country, or the ballpark and all of the other joys of living in an area with the best summer weather in the world, our sunglasses are a constant companion.  However, there is another reason to put on your sunglasses – because the future of Rotary in so bright!

 

If you have been paying attention to the actions of our recent RI Council on Legislation, you know that they made some landmark decisions that give Rotary clubs much greater flexibility in choosing the meeting schedule and club membership options that work best for them.  I believe this reflects an awareness that many Rotary clubs have been experimenting with variations already, in response to the needs of their members and to help recruit new members.  The changes adopted by the COL are significant and will help Rotary grow and evolve.

 

We’ve also seen encouraging progress in closing in on our 30+ year mission to eradicate polio.  The fight isn’t over, and the final stage of the battle won’t be won easily – but with the resources and resolve of Rotarians, I believe we will be celebrating our final victory over the scourge of polio within a few years.

 

Within our District, we are seeing a wonderful growth in Rotaract clubs – demonstrating the appeal of Rotary’s mission among young adults.  With a little effort, I think we can generate a similar expansion of Interact clubs and harness the energy and idealism of high school students.  Each year, our Slapshot and RYLA programs produce legions of young people who embrace our values of promoting peace by working together to encourage understanding among people of different cultures and devoting ourselves to serving others.

 

I’m also encouraged to see greater collaboration among clubs in our District on service projects, fundraisers, recruitment and new-member orientation events.  As we expand our identity as members of not just our individual Rotary club, but members of a family of Rotary clubs in our community, our region, our country and the world, our pride in being part of Rotary Serving Humanity expands as well.

 

As we look forward to what we can accomplish in the 2016-17 Rotary year, keep those sunglasses handy.