Steve’s Scribbles

District Governor Stephen Lawes

Well another Rotary year has started and the wheel keeps on turning.  It has been two weeks since IPDG Peter handed the chain across at a District Handover, and I was honoured to take up the mantle for this coming year.

Since then I have been busy with Official and Informal Club visits, I have already met many of the hard working Rotarians of the District, and I have heard about the many projects that they intend to undertake.  I have been accompanied by members of my home club who have acted as duty driver and I hope that they too will see the wider picture of Rotary within D1220.

I believe that communications is the key to success and to this extent it is my intention to write a short newsletter each month which will be enhanced by “The Blog” so that everyone in the District can learn what is going on and to see the antics of the DG.

We face some great challenges both this year and in the future, the biggest of which is the declining membership within Rotary.  How we do this will not be easy, and I urge you all to try and look at ways of ensuring the name of Rotary will be as strong as ever in D1220 in the future. I would also like to emphasise that the District Team is not there to dictate, we are there to help and assist where ever we can.  Sometimes the message to clubs from district can seem autocratic, however on many occasions we are only relaying instructions from RI and RIBI. I personally wish to get away from the image that has built up over the years of us and them; we are, after all, Rotarians just trying to serve.

Finally, I would like to remind you about Conference which will be held on the week-end of 3^rd to 5^th October in Llandudno.  The team have been working hard to put together a very good programme for your entertainment.  There is an excellent web page on Conference with information on what is happening and with a link to electronic registration should you wish to do so.  Jan and I look forward to seeing you all there.

Have a good year of Fellowship and Fun as we ‘Light Up Rotary’ in D1220.

Steve

District Governor 2014-15