Greetings From Our Merry District Governor

December already – and nearly half of the Rotary year has passed.  I’ve been impressed with the resilience of many Clubs,

who, despite the Covid restrictions, still held community events, fundraising projects,

and many gatherings where the Rotary flag has been flying high.

 

I’ve been travelling to many Clubs and with only a few to complete it has been a fun time meeting Club members and seeing their projects.  Of the 50 Clubs (including Hawkes Bay Rotaract) I have now either visited or ‘zoomed in’ to 46 of them.  I learned quickly that Zooming is a great way of passing the message, being judicious with my time and the 19 Clubs that experienced my Zoom presentation, too, managed to meet this way instead of the restrictions that Face to Face placed on many of you.  However, so much has been achieved when I’ve met Face to Face with the Clubs and their members. 

 

Thank you to the many Clubs that have embraced my theme of Health & Well-Being.  Whether it be a walking or cycling group; bringing related speakers to the meetings, or making a personal commitment to your own (and your family) health – I say thank you.  I’ve been kept up to date with the support that many of you have given to Club members and families that needed that extra well-being and welfare support. Covid times have affected us all and there is still the ongoing need to support others.

 

December is Disease Prevention & Treatment Month.  What a more appropriate theme to have during the latest release of the restrictions placed around Covid.  We are needing to abide by the restrictions placed on us by the Government and adhere to the requirements of our venue management.  We are all encouraged to seek double vaccination and obtain a My Vaccine Passport.  Already I have seen that many of our venue management has placed a restriction on who can be in their premises and the requirements that goes with that use.

 

During my Club visits, I have heaped praise on those Rotarians in the District who go that extra mile to assist with Rotary District Committees.  Each of the Committees has members with them.  However, I want to thank the following Committee Chairs:

 

Treasurer:  Keith Ardern

Foundation: Ken Smith

Public Image: Sheena Spittles

Membership: Johnny Dryden

Training: Nick Dangerfield

District & Board Secretary: Grant Spackman

District Newsletter, Website Coordinator & Content Editor:  Max Patmoy

Webmaster:  Ralph Slooten

Website Communication Co-ordinator: Gavin Petrie

 

There are many other Chairs who contribute to their committees – a big list.  To my 12 Assistant Governors – thank you for all the ongoing liaison with the Clubs in your Area. I recently met with Andrew von Dadelszen who is the District Environment Chair.  There are so many activities occurring in to the 7^th Area of Focus – Protecting the Environment.  I’ve been impressed with the support given by Clubs of the Government’s plan to plant 1 billion trees.  Our 100 years of Rotary in New Zealand project of Rotary’s Forest of Peace & Remembrance is quite a success, with many Clubs already meeting their goals.

 

December is also a month for festivities and I’m sure that many of you will be enjoying a relaxed and celebratory time with fellow Rotarians.  I wish you and your families all the best during the Festive Season and for the New Year in 2022.  Be safe and kind.