DG Dave’s May Newsletter

Dave’s Diary 

The Monthly Newsletter of the District Governor

1st May 2013

Sponsored Walk for Bluebell Wood and Rainbows

Well, it’s almost time for the start of the sponsored walk and cycle ride from Bluebell Wood to Rainbows a distance of about 65 to 70 miles in total. Up to about two dozen Rotarians and non Rotarians have signed up to walk or ride at least a part of the way, with about half that number hopefully doing the entire distance.

A number of clubs have already given me donations towards the walk and I know that others intend to do so. Personal sponsorships are also coming in. We do now have a “Just Giving” page on the internet where you may make donations direct. The website is http://www.justgiving.com/hospice2hospice By logging onto this website you can make a donation using a credit or debit card, in complete safety. It will go to Bluebell Wood direct, however, overall the total proceeds will be split evenly between the two hospices.

This week by the way is Childrens’ Hospice Week so there should be lots of publicity about hospices in the media. A good time to add our voice to it. I shall be putting something on my blog at least once a day if not more. Andy Ledbetter from Dronfield is doing Facebook page which he will update several times perday – no doubt reporting on the number of blisters!

I would like to thank everyone who has become involved in any way from planning, donating, walking, meeting us at the end of each day etc etc. I would particularly like to thank my two sons in law Craig McAughtrie and Chris Tatham together with a couple of their friends who are doing a 100 mile sponsored bike ride from Belper, to Bluebell Wood to Rainbows on Monday 6th May, to hopefully meet up with the walkers at the end of the walk. They are raising a lot of money in sponsorship.

If you have not done so already, please make a donation towards this event. Cheques can be sent to me and made payable to “The Rotary Club of Belper and Duffield”.

Handover Lunch

The District Handover lunch this year will be held at the Novotel, Bostocks Lane, Long Eaton on Sunday, 30th June. This is the occasion when I hand over the stewardship of the District into the very capable hands of Rtn Peter Moralee from Bretby Club. Awards etc are also presented to individuals and clubs on this occasion. Please make sure your club is represented. The cost is £16.00 per person.

I have just circulated all clubs & District Team with full details and a booking form. If you do not receive a booking form then please contact me direct.

Rotary & Inner Wheel Thanksgiving Service

The annual Rotary and Inner Wheel Thanksgiving Service has been arranged and will take place this year on Sunday, 16th June, 2013 at the Parish Church of All Saints, Church Street, Ripley, Derbyshire at 2.30pm.
I think you will find the service relevant and enjoyable. Refreshments will be served at the back of the church immediately after the service.

I would love to meet as many Rotarians and their families as possible at this service. It is in fact Father’s Day (so I am told) and it would be great to see lots of families present.

The church is more or less in the centre of Ripley and car parking is available either on the market place, which is very close by or there is a further car park on Moseley Street (adjacent to the church). Other car parks are located in various parts of the town centre. Payment unfortunately is required even on a Sunday.

District Conference

Although it seems to me as if we have only just held the last District Conference, the time is fast approaching to be thinking about, if not booking for the next one. The 2013 Conference is being held in Scarborough and as you will know if you attended the recent District Assembly, during the weekend of the conference it is going to rain right across District 1220 and the sun is going to shine in Scarborough. The dates for Conference are Friday, 4th to Sunday 6th October.

I know that DGE Peter and his Conference Director have a lot of new ideas for this year. The entertainment and the speakers that have been booked are first rate and it looks like being a fantastic weekend away. If your club has not yet booked and sorted out its accommodation, then do it straight away.

RIBI – Reorganisation

For those of you who take an interest in national and international issues affecting Rotary, then you will no doubt recall that some time ago a resolution was passed at RIBI level to get rid of the General Council and to replace it with an RIBI Board and a District Governors’ Forum, subject to approval by RI. The vote has just been held at the Council on legislation and the proposal did not receive the necessary two thirds majority and so has been rejected. It is therefore now unlikely that the planned changes will proceed.

I hope to be in a position to give a fuller account of the situation at the next District Council meeting on 13th June.

Diary Dates