DG Peter’s Musings – January 2014

The Rotary year just flies by, seven months already, all going by in a blur!

I have now had the pleasure of visiting 56 Clubs and been a Guest at 20 Charters. I would like to thank you all on behalf of Carol & myself for your friendly welcome and hospitality. It is interesting to visit places that were to me only names in our District Directory.  I was warned by other members of the District Team to be wary of venturing to some of them in the cold dark nights of winter as they were well into “Bandit Country”!!

In fact the visits were so rewarding, your enthusiasm, which is palpable when you speak about your plans for Projects, some in train or even already completed this year makes me so proud to be part of this Rotary District, especially so as your District Governor.

Knowing we were going to meet so many new people during the year was as you can imagine a bit daunting to contemplate but everywhere we have felt true Rotary Fellowship, please forgive me though when we meet again if I cannot recall your name instantly, thank goodness for name tags!

You will recall I spoke during my Club visits about changes I wanted to introduce to District Council.

At the first of the Council meetings this year, held in mid September, in spite of all the efforts of those behind (and in front) of the scenes it was a far from a polished professional performance. Reports received after the second Council in December indicated a significant improvement even if one of the ‘Star’ turns was unable to attend. I am of course talking about the presentation of the Derby Mercia Clubs Schools Project, “Raspberry Pi”.

I am delighted to say this presentation has been rescheduled for the Council Meeting on 25^th March. I do hope all Clubs will send a good contingent to hear this talk plus a number of other subjects we plan to cover in interesting ways during the evening. We also have moved this meeting to a new and different venue, as near the centre of gravity of the District as we can get. The Derbyshire Hotel, located just off Junction 28 of the M1 to the east along the A38.

I hope you all had a good Christmas break, and are fully refreshed for whatever rigours the remainder of this Rotary Year throws at us.

Carol & I were hosts to our traditional family get together. We all had a really lovely time together. How Carol copes with all the planning, shopping and organising for the whole family and preparing wonderful meals at home always amazes me, all that on top of supporting me as well is quite frankly astonishing. Before anyone else says it, yes I know, payback time is coming!!

Till the next newsletter, keep warm and dry!