Greetings From Our Locked Down District Governor

 

Greetings from Napier – Lockdown at whatever level for September.

 

The Lockdown, however, hasn’t stopped Rotary moving and growing.  My Club visits have been very successful with many visits to Clubs in the Hawkes Bay, in the King Country and in the Waikato.  I’ve been impressed with the enthusiasm that Rotarians and Rotary Clubs are showing, projects being planned and completed.  I’ve been honoured to present a Paul Harris Fellow (PHF) to Cambridge Rotarian Dave Blewdon for his ongoing commitment to Rotary and the Cambridge e-waste project – Urban Miners.  I acknowledge too – the presentation of a PHF sapphire pin to Wendy Mildon by the Havelock North Rotary Club for her support of District Governor (2020/21) Grant Spackman and her commitment to the health sector in Hawkes Bay.

 

September is Education and Literacy Month – have you a project that could support those who don’t have the resources to improve their education?  The Rotary Learning Centre (on the My Rotary website) has many and wide-ranging topics to improve our own knowledge.  The site has many topics available – not only Rotary related but also for our own benefits in leadership, negotiation and management.  There are many programmes, too, that support our young in the field of education.  Clubs are working through the applications for the Science & Technology Forum, our website has details about the Dictionaries in Schools, the JR McKenzie Youth Education Fund is available to support kids in their education.

 

Whilst not directly a Rotary project, the national campaign for Blue September – helping those with prostate cancer and related problems is one of worthy support.  Could your Club do something to support the campaign.  Making regular health check-ups, support for others, donations of kind and/or participate in an event during the month that acknowledges their fund raising.

 

I’ve been impressed with those Clubs that have taken up my Health & Well-Being challenge.  Some having personal challenges of statistical comparisons (that’s using your bathrooms scales!!!) participating in regular Club exercise activities and being mindful of the types of food that are provided during Rotary functions.  I, too, have been out on the bike. Remember to invite your speakers by Zoom, too.  There are many health professionals ready to share their knowledge.

 

Speaking of Zoom – it’s been great that your Clubs have started meetings by Zoom, it will be a little longer before we can meet face to face – so set up your Zoom meetings, provide interesting information about Rotary, hold quizzes, hear about someone’s favourite travel story or share ideas on how to cope during Lockdown.  Thank you to those Clubs that have hosted me by Zoom, my 20-minute presentation is a neat way to share the goals of Rotary and acknowledge your Club’s projects.

 

Take care, be kind and share the word about Rotary, your Club and the members.