It is fitting that my year as District Governor would wrap up in such a whirlwind fashion. What a phenomenal experience we had in Montreal! The International convention underlines the combined strength and spirit of service that we, as Rotarians, share with the world.
District 7010 brings that philosophy of service to communities within our diverse region. When I began the traditional tour of Clubs last July, it quickly became apparant that our Clubs are a success... or District is a success...because of the dedication and commitment of individual Rotarians.
The power of one - it's no mistake that the 2009-2010 international R.I. theme was the Future of Rotary is in Your Hands.
Our year together has been both positive and productive. Our District is blessed with great Clubs. Some Clubs that were a concern over a year ago are healthy and active today, not because of anything I may have done, but because of the collective efforts of many. We should be proud.
Thank you to everyone involved in hosting my official club visits; I was made to feel extremely welcome at each stop along the way and I enjoyed our productive discussions at both the Executive and Club levels.
With every visit, I was reminded of the generosity of our members. Wheelchair donations were made in my name, as well as donations to Foundation, to Polio, to education programs and to the building of a well. I received a number of personal gifts from our Clubs that I will treasure forever. The generosity of our membership has been outstanding!
A wonderful advantage to being District Governor is having the opportunity to attend many great events and celebrations throughout our District, and at a time when all of the hard work is done!
Whether it was North Bay-Nipissing's Turnover golf tournament, Kapuskasing's Lunberjack Festival, Gravenhurs's luncheon with Adrienne Clarkson, Peterborough Kawarthy's 20th anniversary or Val d'Or's annual family day fundraiser, I was made to feel welcome.
From the Foundation Golf Tournament jointly sponsored by Midland and Penetanguishene, to Collingwood's 40th anniversary event; from Wasaga Beach's annual charity gala, to BEL's Polar Plunge; from North Bay-Nippissing's 25th anniversary where I had the opportunity to share the podium with RI Past President Wilf Wilkinson, to Innisfil's special Chili Tasting event, I have enjoyed the best of fun and fellowship with our Membership. I will look back on all of these events as the fondest of memories.
As much fun as all of this has been, on a more serious note, a lot of time and preparation went into grooming me to be your DG! I am sure you will all agree: the one thing that there is never any shortage of in Rotary is information! RI insists that you be readied for a much as possible. As I prepared for my year as Governonr, I attended District seminars, Zone Institutes, and the International Assembly in San Diego. I've met some remarkable people and enjoyed every minute of my rookie training. During all of this preparation began for my District Conference.
This conference in Niagara-on-the Lake was one of the great moments in my year as District Governonr. Past President of the Rotary Club of Sudbury Bill Querney and his team in Greater Sudbury did a phenomenal job of creating the perfect platform for the 2009-2010 Rotary year. I am still receiving comments from Rotarians regarding the fun and fellowship they experienced there.
Getting to know our members has been the highlight of my year as District Governor and what we have accomplished together is truly remarkable.
Our international exchanges - the Group Study Exchange, Youth Exchange, Ambassadorial Scholar Program and our Friendship Exchange to India - were a tremendous success. In fact, I had the pleasure of hosting our India counterparts in my home Club in Sudbury earlier this month. Participating in these exchanges allows us to do things we would never have the opportunity to do unless we were Rotarians. For example, while visiting our District, members of the Rotary Club of Midtown in India and the Rotary Club of Chapleau met and agreed to partner on a matching grant literacy project benefiting both aboriginal and non-aboriginal areas around Chapleau. This is a great opportunity.
Your fundraising efforts on behalf of the Rotary Foundation were impressive - from Polio Plus to disaster relief in Haiti, to medical support for a little Filipino girl named Mika who needed a heart operation. Petite Veneracion, wife of DG Tony Veneracion of the Philippines, wrote the following:
"The operation of Mika was very successful. Three cardiologist surgeons operated on her... She stayed in the hospital for one week and was discharged with a very positive diagnosis. A month later, in mid-May, her cardiologist here...said that Mika's heart is 80% healed and is on the way to full recovery. She only has to complete her dose of antibiotics for the coming two or three months.
Again, I would like to thank you for the assistance... We are still buying medicine for Mika and additional tests will be undergone this month. We spent a total of PhP 470,000 or $11,200 (US) for the operation. Please extend our gratitude to all Canadian Rotarians who contributed for Mika's surgery. May God bless you all."
The best news for our District as my Rotary year ends: one new club has been officially chartered - Innisfil - on June 17th. Congratulations and welcome to the 7010 family!
I leave the District focused on the future and turn its leadership over to the exceptionally capable hands of Dawn Straka. My only advice is to rely on the experts around you for advice and counsel and to always have an open bottle of red wine on hand. Most of all, never forget, IT'S YOUR YEAR!
In closing, I would like to thank all Rotarians for your commitment, hard work and dedication to the various causes of Rotary, whether in our home communities or within the global village. Our collective efforts continue to benefit others in a positive and helpful way.
A special thank you to my Executive and Chairs for your support this Rotary year. I enjoyed working with all of you. A big thank you to Nicole, my Assistant. I could not have gotten through this year without her! Thank you all for helping me leave District 7010 a little better than we found it.
As we reflect on past accomplishments and turn our attention toward the future, always remember the power of one; and what one man, Paul Harris, accomplished. The future of Rotary is today, and will remain tomorrow in your hands.
Please join me in welcoming the 2010-2011 District Governor for District 7010, Dawn Straka. I know you will all give her the same support that you gave me this past year as she strives to embrace the "cowboy logic" adopted by RI President-elect Ray Klinginsmith to make the Clubs in District 7010 "bigger, better and bolder". Dawn you will do an outstanding job of "Building Communities, Bridging Continents".
As I close off my final blog I would would like to wish you all a safe and happy Canada Day and a prosperous year for our District in 2010-2011.
The Future of Rotary is in Your Hands
DG Richard
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
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