Hello, Bonjour, Aanii,

It is a tremendous privilege for me to write to you as District Governor and to lead District 7010 for the next year.

My exciting journey began on June 29th at the tri-turnover held in Sudbury – an event combining the annual turnovers for District 7010, the Rotary Club of Sudbury and the Rotary Club of Sudbury Sunrisers. Among the 100 Rotarians and friends who gathered that evening, a number of dignitaries from throughout the district were in attendance, including outgoing District Governor Tom and his wife Grace.
I wish to thank all who attended, in particular Geoffrey Lougheed from the Rotary Club of Sudbury and his committee who did an outstanding job on this tri-turnover event.
I look forward to meeting each and every one of you as I tour the District throughout the year.
Since the turnover, I have been travelling to various Clubs within our District. My travels began by going to Timmins, where my Rotary life began in 1977. What better way to begin a new chapter than by going back to my roots! I’ve also travelled to meet Rotarians in North Bay, Timmins, Chapleau in my first few weeks as DG.
In late July and early August, my travels will take me to Hearst, Kapuskasing, LaSarre (Québec), Matheson, Bracebridge-Muskoka Lakes, Huntsville and Lake of Bays.
J’ai hâte de renouer des liens avec les Rotariens du district 7010!

One of the initiatives I am most excited about this year is to finally have in place a committee working on aboriginal issues. Janet McLeod from the Peterborough Kawartha Club is chairing this new initiative and would love to hear from you.
When I asked Janet where we can start, she suggested reading a book titled “Returning to the Teachings” by Rupert Ross. From there:
1. Generate Awareness
- read about aboriginal concerns
- talk in your club about some of the things you are reading about
2. Build personal relationships
-Invite prominent members of the aboriginal community to speak to your club
-Look for members of the native community who are demonstrating leadership and talk to them about Rotary
-Look for young professionals and encourage them to apply for GSE
3. Listen
-Hear what they need and not what you think they need
- Each area of our district has its own distinct concerns. One size will not fit all.

Miigwetch Janet for your dedication to this important initiative!
I encourage all Rotarians to contact Janet directly at info@eastcityflowershop.com to provide her with your comments and suggestions.

Another new initiative for District 7010 is to partner with NEADS – National Educational Association Disabled Students. NEADS was created in 1986 by a group of students with disabilities who believed that a national organization was needed to provide disabled students with information and access to post-secondary education resources and services, to advance inclusion in the post-secondary environment, and to conduct related research. They have approached Rotary for assistance, in particular in mentoring these young adults.
Richard Onley, from the Bracebridge-Muskoka Lakes Club is chairing this new committee.

The upcoming Rotary Group Study Exchange will be lead by Louise Goulet from the North Bay Nipissing Rotary Club. The group will be travelling to India in early January 2010.

We’ve recently learned that Canada Post will issue a commemorative stamp for the 100th Anniversary of Rotary in Canada!! GREAT NEWS for Rotary!
Nous sommes fiers d’être ici au Canada depuis déjà cent ans – quelle honneur que Postes Canada reconnaisse Rotary avec un timbre commémoratif!

Come share in 100 years of Rotary in Canada as the Rotary Club of Sudbury and the Rotary Club of Sudbury Sunrisers present Fellowship at the Falls District 7010 conference. The conference kicks off October 15th in Niagara on the Lake with golf at Legends on the Niagara. Capture the view of the Falls while dining at the Governor’s Ball at Table Rock. A full line up of speakers and evening fellowship awaits. Don't delay to register for this exciting conference.
Only a few rooms remain at the host hotel, Queen’s Landing. Book your room now so you don’t miss out. 1-888-669-5566.
J'espère avoir l'occasion de rencontrer plusieurs nouveaux Rotariens lors de cette conference.

My new DG blog will be sent to you each month. As this is a work in progress, your feedback is always welcome! You will notice a “comment” section to the left of this text. I will be asking for your feedback on a specific topic each month. The topic for July is memberships – I am eager to learn what individual clubs are doing to increase memberships and maintain existing members.

I will also take this opportunity to request feedback from District Chairs on a regular basis so that I can include those important messages in this blog.

To quote Rotary International President John Kenny, "In Rotary, everything we are, and everything we aspire to become, lies in the hands of Rotarians in their clubs. If our clubs are congenial and our meetings well run, if our service is carefully planned and competently carried out, if our members are qualified, honest, and respected in their vocations and communities, then all of Rotary will thrive. This is why I say The Future of Rotary Is in Your Hands.”
Selon le nouveau président du Rotary, John Kenny « Au Rotary, ce que nous sommes et ce à quoi nous aspirons reposent sur les membres des clubs. Si nos clubs sont conviviaux et nos réunions bien organisées, si nos actions sont bien planifiées et proprement mises en place, si nos membres ont la fibre nécessaire, sont honnêtes et reconnus dans leur collectivité et profession, alors le Rotary sera prospère. C’est pourquoi j’affirme que l’avenir du Rotary est entre vos mains. »

Merci, Thank you, Miigwetch

Yours in Rotary,

DG Richard
District 7010
The Future of Rotary is in Your Hands