Our District Governor's June Message

This is my last monthly newsletter as District Governor.

How time flies and what a year it has been.

Nobody could have predicted how this year has gone, but I am proud of how Rotarians in this District have coped and adapted so ably to changes that have been forced upon us. 

Next month DGE Grant Spackman will be taking over the reins,

so in many ways it is appropriate that this month is Fellowships month.

We have managed to keep fellowship, in its many meanings, going during the period of lockdown. Zoom meetings have abounded, newsletters have continued, telephone trees have been abundant, and the love and concern shown to the more vulnerable amongst our number have been outstanding. As we move closer to being able to recommence physical meetings again, the fellowship will be close to our hearts as we re-connect in person with friends and Rotary colleagues. A word of caution though – whilst we all want to get back to physical meetings – we need to do this carefully and slowly. I recently sent some guidance notes out to your Club President, The President-Elect and Club Secretaries. I do urge them to read these carefully and pay heed to the recommendations.

 

As we move out of lockdown restrictions and more towards the “New Normal”, I encourage each of you to take a few minutes to look back on the last 2 + months and think through what we have learnt, both the good and the bad, and embrace the positive learnings into our daily lives. If we just go back to the “Old Normal” these learnings will be lost.

A little-known fact about Rotary is that there are nearly 90 Rotary International Fellowships. Each of these international groups has its own theme. Being part of a fellowship is a way to make friends around the world, explore a hobby or profession, and enhance your Rotary experience. The themes range from Genealogy to Fishing and Yachting to Wine (see https://www.rotary.org/en/our-programs/more-fellowships ). They are an excellent way to meet other Rotarians with similar interests.

 

Mary and I will soon l be experiencing a new kind of fellowship. We moved from the UK in 2006, primarily to be closer to Mary’s Parents (Mary is a Kiwi). They lived with us in Morrinsville for 8 years well into their 90s, but sadly they have now both died. We had hoped that our children would follow us out here – but regrettably, this has not happened – so all our children and their families still live in the UK. We have therefore decided that we will be returning to live in the UK once it is safe to do so. When this will be exactly, we do not know. We had booked flights for August, but these have been cancelled. When we do get there, we will have to create new circles of friends and I am sure that Rotary will be part of the mix.

 

It has been an honour and privilege to be your District Governor over the last 12 months. Both Mary and I have been blown away with the welcome and kindness we have experienced during our various visits around the District. District 9930 deserves to be the biggest and best District in New Zealand. Under DGE Grant Spackman’s leadership, I know that it will continue to go from strength to strength.