District Governor Kevin Crouse, January 2014 Message

Posted by Penelope Hutton 
 

DG Kevin’s January Message

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The Order of Good Cheer.  In 1603, the French explorer, Samuel de Champlain colonized the north Shore of Nova Scotia in an area now known as Annapolis Royal. It was a winter not unlike the one we are currently enduring – heavy snow, ice and almost unbearable cold. To keep up the spirit of the settlers, Samuel established an Order of Good Cheer to provide fun, fellowship and hope in what would have been otherwise a very dreary experience. Every night, a different group would be responsible for providing food and fellowship for all the settlers in the colony. It was that spirit that enabled that heroic group to get through the winter.

Fast forward to January 3, 2014. Rebecca and I were driving to Batavia to join Area 14 for their annual Christmas party. Two, three car accidents and a lane closure on the I-90 highway made for a four hour drive there from Brantford. When we finally arrived at 7:00 p.m., the bright lights of the magnificent Terry Hills Restaurant were needless to say a great delight for us. Inside we found 100 members of the Rotary clubs of Albion, Batavia, Holley and LeRoy celebrating a 60 year-old tradition together to welcome in the New Year. This was indeed their Order of Good Cheer and the camaraderie that ensued was very contagious.  The organizers Suzie Boyce and presidents Cindy Perry, Hollis Upson, Bob Miller, and Tracy Ford deserve great credit for putting together one of the grandest celebrations of club cooperation I have ever witnessed. PDG John and Sandy Heise and Assistant Governor Marlee Diehl also deserve credit for their exemplary leadership in this very unique event. One of the special highlights of the evening was the presentation of Head, Hands and Heart Awards to 33 members of these clubs.

Currently, there are 185 Rotarians who have received or will receive the Head, Hands and Heart Award. If you have not already applied for this award, you can do so by downloading the Rotary Engagement Resume from our website www. rotary7090.org. Go to the Governor’s pages for a copy of this resume. If you can say “yes” to 10 of the 15 questions asked, you are eligible to receive this award.  If you are eligible, ask your president to send in your name with those of others who might also be interested in receiving this recognition. Our hope is that on June 22 at the Awards/District Governor Changeover ceremony, we will be able to induct all recipients into the Order of Good Cheer. Under the direction of the Club President, this order will be charged with:

  • Maintenance of fun and fellowship in their clubs

  • Ongoing retention of current members

  • Celebration of Rotary in their communities.

Yours in Rotary,

 

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Kevin Crouse

District Governor

Best of Friends District 7090