As I reflect on the year, it could not have been one of more contrast. The year started with a round of traditional club visits and then COVID-19 hit us. I will probably be the last of the Road Warrior DGs and now I have become the first Virtual Governor….so I guess I am now really a Hybrid Governor.
At the beginning of the year I set out 5 key messages:
Continue to GROW the Rotary Family
Get your message out by telling stories
Support OUR Foundation
Remember success comes through integrity,inclusiveness and diversity
Connect, be People of Action and continue to #DOGOODERY!
Overall membership has remained steady despite the current uncertainty and this year we have established one new Interact Club, 2 new Rotaract Clubs, a satellite club and we have the Global Passport Club about to Charter. Many clubs have been re-energised in this virtual world whilst it is fair to say a small number are struggling to come to terms with the challenges of physical distancing.
Clubs have been creative in how to stay connected, continue service projects and to rapidly develop virtual fundraisers from Stay at Home Galas, The East Coast Kitchen Party, Trivia Nights, Euchre Tournaments, Online Auctions, to COVID-19 Challenges. Zoom is now synonymous with Rotary. In this new world of hyper connectivity, I have attended more meetings and met more people from within the District and from all over the world than I would have ever done before Zoom entered our everyday vocabulary.
With your help our Foundation has responded robustly to the COVID-19 Pandemic and interest by clubs in levering value from grants is growing, however it can only continue to do this if clubs and we as individuals continue to make ‘The Rotary Foundation’ our charity of choice.
During our round of club visits many clubs recognised our visit by a donation to the Magic Cupboard Project. We came across this project on a Polio Immunization trip to India in 2018 when we visited a school and it was sad to see that the teachers had so few resources. Children were acknowledged for their achievements with an item from the “cupboard” such as a pencil, paper or other small items. With your generous support we will now be forwarding $2,200 Cdn to India. A small donation of cash goes a long way in India and our friends at the Rotary Club of Agra will ensure your gift will get to the school and ultimately the students.
Our District Conference 2020 Vision has been re-imagined into a virtual event and rescheduled to the morning of June 13th to avoid clashing with the rescheduled virtual RI Convention which opens on June 20th. The Conference will feature great inspirational speakers and Rotarians who will tell their Rotary Stories, grab yourself a coffee and we look forward to welcoming you all to the ‘John and Tony Morning Show’. Registration is now open at https://rotary6330.org/
The theme for this year ‘Rotary Connects the World’ and next year’s theme of ‘Rotary Opens Opportunities’ could not be more apt and is vital as we move forward that we continue to grasp the opportunities this pandemic has thrust upon as there has never been a greater need for service.
Best wishes to incoming Governor David and First Lady Sue as they embark on their own virtual voyage of discovery…enjoy!
On behalf of Sylvia and I, we wish to thank ALL members of District 6330 for giving us the privilege of being your Governor and First Lady, we both fondly cherish the memories, connections, and new friendships we have made on our journey to support you…..it’s been a blast..!
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District 6330 Conference 2020 – Saturday June 13th
Pre-show starts at 8:30 a.m. and the Conference starts at 9:00
Our Team has been working with our speakers, presenters and some volunteer techies on how we can deliver the BEST EVER Conference. Please join us as we have an exciting lineup for you. Registration is fast easy and free! Everyone is invited! Please register now! The first 100 registered will be entered into an Early Bird Draw for a 2 day stay in Southampton. in 2021!
For more information about the Conference, Agenda, Speakers, etc. Click Here
An important change is being implemented to global grant funding for 2020-21.
Matching of cash donations, by clubs and individuals, to be discontinued as of July 1, 2020.
Matching of DDF contributions to Global Grants continues at 1:1
The Rotary Foundation has issued the following notice:
The global grant program has been very successful and has grown at an incredible pace since its launch in 2013. This growth, however, means that we expect the demand for global grants to dramatically exceed the capacity of the World Fund.
Every Rotary year 100 individuals are selected for a Rotary Peace Fellowship to study for a Master’s Degree or a Certificate at some of the most prestigious Universities in the world. These Fellowships provide tuition, board, books, fees, transportation, and field study expenses. As you can image the competition for this program is intense and some years more that 1,000 applications are received.
Thornbury-Clarksburg Rotary is excited to be hosting Hope in the Valley -- a Stay at Home Gala on Saturday, June 6th! This online “virtual gala” will feature 90 minutes of impressive local entertainment, interviews and much more. All the details can be found on the event website -- trellis.org/stayathomegala-bluemountains.
Registration is done through the website AND Gala guests are encouraged to make it a REALLY “gala” event by ordering a delicious meal from one of the many local restaurants who have enthusiastically jumped in to support the event. Links to the restaurants are on the website.
Rotarians, we are people of action. Right now our action just looks a bit different than it did a month or two ago. One of the best things that we can do right now is to STAY AT HOME and use our large lists of contacts to share accurate and needed messages. They may simply be messages of encouragement or they may be messages that will help to protect our front line workers and our neighbours.
The Ontario Government is telling residents in urban areas to avoid heading to their cottages and rural properties across the province during the COVID-19 pandemic. We would like to reinforce that message as small towns in “Cottage Country” are in a high-risk situation at the moment for the following reasons:
20 YEARS OF PARTNERSHIP: Working Together in The Philippines
Rotary is at the heart of all that we do at ShelterBox. Beginning as a Rotary Club project 20 years ago, our partnership with Rotary International has grown over the years, becoming their official Project Partners in Disaster Relief in 2012. By working together, we are ensuring that no family is left without shelter after disaster. Not only do Rotary and Rotaract clubs around the world support ShelterBox financially, but on many of ShelterBox’s deployments local Rotarians, Rotaractors, and Response Teams work closely together at an operational level. Rotarians often have great connections with communities and authorities that can help response teams understand the situation and respond better together.
Rotary clubs in districts across Italy worked together to procure state-of-the-art equipment needed to combat the deadly coronavirus disease for 26 hospitals around the country.
Rotary clubs in East Africa are forging partnerships to provide hand washing stations and food in areas where social distancing is a luxury that few can afford.
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District Governor Tony’s Message
Thornbury-Clarksburg Rotary is excited to be hosting Hope in the Valley -- a Stay at Home Gala on Saturday, June 6th! This online “virtual gala” will feature 90 minutes of impressive local entertainment, interviews and much more. All the details can be found on the event website -- 
