DG Dave’s April Newsletter

Dave’s Diary 

The Monthly Newsletter of the District Governor

1st April 2013

Sponsored Walk for Bluebell Wood and Rainbows

Thanks to all the clubs and individuals, Rotarians and non-Rotarians, who have already sent me sponsorship for the forthcoming Hospice to Hospice Walk (3rd to 6th May 2013). Information Sheets and Sponsorship forms have been distributed to all Rotary Clubs recently both by email and on paper. I look forward to the team of walkers receiving as much support – financial and moral – as possible.
All proceeds will be devoted in equal parts to Bluebell Wood Hospice near Sheffield and Rainbows Hospice at Loughborough. My target is an ambitious £5,000 – please help us to achieve it.

There is a core team of about six or seven Rotarians (including one potential Rotarian ! ) doing the walk which is about 65 miles in length, but we welcome having anyone else come along to join us for any part of the trip. Offer to join us for part of the walk and offers of help are now coming in and we shall start looking for publicity for the event shortly.

Any cheques should be made payable please to “The Rotary Club of Belper and Duffield”. All queries about the walk should be directed to me please.

Diary Dates

District Quiz

The finals of the District Quiz were Held at Horsley Lodge Golf Course, home of the Rotary Club of Heanor, on Tuesday, 26th March, with the Rotary Club of Bretby coming out as winners for the third year in succession. Many congratulations to Bretby on this achievement. Newark were in second place just one point behind with Sherwood Forest and West Bridgford sharing third place, again, just one point behind Newark.

Mike Storr, Rotary Club of Carlton worked really hard organising this event, writing the questions, preparing the question sheets etc, booking the venue and acting as the quizmaster on the night and he deserves a big “thank-you” for all his efforts. The quiz was a great success and a fantastic evening of Rotary fellowship. I would also like to thank the considerable number of members of the Rotary Club of Heanor and various other people for attending to offer support. It was a great social occassion and one that I shall make a point of going to next year. Congratulations to everyone concerned.

Presidential Citation

Any club that wishes its efforts during this Rotary year to be recognised by Rotary International by virtue of a Presidential Citation should send their completed “Presidential Citation” application form to me by no later than 15th April 2013. Forms were distributed to all Club Presidents prior to the start of the year, together with an explanatory leaflet. If you have mislaid your copy, you can download it from the RI Website. Just type in “Presidential Citation” in the search box and it will bring up all the necessary information.

I know from going round the clubs that many of them have achieved all that is necessary for the Citation. This is the best way of letting RI know that we are working hard in these islands for the good of our local and international communities.

If you have not yet applied, now is the time – Do it now!

District Assembly

The District Assembly will be held at the Clifton Campus of Nottingham Trent University on the morning of Saturday, 20th April 2013. Apart from the initial Plenary Session where we will hear from next year’s District Governor Peter, there are also individual sessions for all club officers (Incoming Presidents, Presidents Elect for 2013/14, Secretaries, Treasurers, Membership, MPRC, International, Community/Vocational, New Generations, Foundation) There is also a session for any new Rotarians, ie those that have joined in the last 12 months or so who would like to know how Rotary ticks.

In a change from previous years and in an effort to gain an insight into how many people will be attending each session, clubs this year are being asked to pre-register. Please make sure you complete the necessary form and return it well in advance of the Assembly and remember to sign in on the day.

John Barker and the Leadership Development and Training Team have been working really hard to make sure that the Assembly is a complete success, but I would just ask you to remember that the facilitators in the groups are just Rotarians like you and me – not necessarily in their comfort zone but doing their best to do a good job for you!

Dave Ashley