I am pleased to introduce you to another member of District 7010 family and the project she oversees. Kim Giffen has been Chair of the District Leadership Academy since 2007.

The Leadership Academy is an on-line based learning program available to the members of our District. It was developed initially to help Rotarians moving forward into positions of leadership in our Rotary District 7010. This program is an invaluable learning tool for ALL Rotarians who want to enhance their Rotary knowledge base.

Six lessons are emailed to Rotarians during the months from November until May each year, with a break in December. Each assignment is marked by a different Faculty member. Rotarians can work independently or with others to complete the assignments. Most of the information is found on-line and resources are listed within each assignment. At the completion of this program Rotarians will have a much enhanced knowledge of the vastness of the organization which we call Rotary. They will have a greater ability to be able to navigate the R.I. website where information is found.

Information and applications can be found at http://www.clubrunner.ca/dprg/dxprogramhome/_programhome.aspx?did=7010&pageid=3369

Please note that although this Academy began in November, there has only been 1 lesson to date and there is room to jump in with both feet in January. What a great New Year’s Resolution!

I encourage all new Rotarians, as well as those who need a Rotary-refresher to take advantage of this great resource available through our District.

My gratitude to Rotarian Kim Giffen from the Rotary Club of Collingwood South Georgian Bay. Kim has been a member of Rotary since 2001 and has served as Club Service Chair (2003-04), "Centennial" President 2004-05, Foundation Chair (2003-present). We are fortunate to have such dedicated volunteers as Kim in leadership roles within our District.

When I last spoke with Kim, she commented on how she enjoys District and International Conferences. “It’s an opportunity to meet new people and learn more about the wonderful programs Rotary has to offer. This is a great way to re-charge your Rotary Batteries each year!”
Kim is most proud of The Wheelchair Distribution she had the honor of participating in this past November in Ecuador. The Rotarians, partners and their children she travelled with were incredible individuals, and extremely grateful for the work Rotarians are doing in their region. A small piece of advice from this outstanding District volunteer - “I would strongly encourage Rotarians to get involved with Rotary outside the borders of your club, at District and at the International level.”

I encourage you to contact Kim to register for the District Leadership Academy, or to learn more about her recent trip to Ecuador. She can be reached at mgiffen@georgian.net

I look forward to sharing more with you in the weeks to come on our District volunteers.

The Future of Rotary is in your hands
DG Richard