The work of Rotary begins in the community and every community has its own unique needs and concerns. While we serve in countless ways, Rotary has focussed our efforts into 6 areas to maximise our impact. In October we celebrate our achievements in the community whilst at the same take taking time to look and address the future needs of the communities we serve. We should avoid pushing our ideas on what needs to be improved but instead, listen to a variety of community members, stakeholders and hear the community’s strengths, weaknesses, needs, and concerns and then make a systematic appraisal on how best Rotary may help. From my experience we should identify projects or activities that generate a high level of enthusiasm from community members so that participation and support is ensured. 

 

During our club visit tour we have seen countless examples of Rotarians as “People of Action” improving their individual communities, whether it be a road clean up, a new park, a playground, a splash pad, sports complex, helping the foodbank, or working with municipalities in a variety of ways to better the areas they serve.  

 

In early September Hurricane Dorian Struck the Bahamas and I have received many questions on how our clubs may help. In such cases people have a natural desire to offer to help. Rotary International is not a Disaster Response Agency, but through the organization’s international reach it is well positioned to identify need on the ground in the affected area and to seek help from fellow Rotarians to provide swift humanitarian assistance. The latest information on the disaster can be found on District 6990  https://rotary6990.org/ and District 7020’s website www.7020.org. Help can take many forms and this recent disaster prompted us to develop a guidance note that provides a framework for how Rotarians and clubs within District 6330 may respond both proactively and reactively. A link to a full copy of the guidance note is included in this month’s newsletter.

 

Later in the month we will celebrating World Polio Day on October 24^th and I will be watching with great interest the many ways clubs are marking this event, with such activities as Dinners, Walks, Runs, Cycle Rides, Swims, Information Sessions, Deputations to Councils, the list goes on and on.

 

Although the cases of wild polio have risen a little this year, we should celebrate that Nigeria has now gone 3 years without a case leaving this terrible disease endemic in the remotest regions of Afghanistan and Pakistan, so we need to re-double our efforts to see this cause through to the end.

 

Next year, in a “Drop to Zero” challenge Zone Director Jeffry Cadorette and Incoming Zone Director Valarie Wafer will complete a parachute jump, if giving to Polio in our Zone exceeds 5% of last year’s donations….so how about increasing your support to ensure Jeff and Val make the jump?

 

On Saturday November 2^nd the District will be hosting a Vibrant Club Seminar at Grand Bend. This is a morning event that embraces public image, membership and our Foundation where we will explore the inter-relationships between these key facets of our organization. There will no formal Foundation Seminars this year. To minimise cost and travel we are hosting satellite events via Zoom Teleconferencing at various locations throughout the District. This will be a great opportunity for Club Presidents, President Elects, Membership, Public Image and Foundation Chairs to learn and help move their clubs forward. Save the date and watch out for more details.

 

Last month you remember that we had a short break from the visits schedule to await the birth of our second grandson, so I am pleased to inform you that Samuel arrived on Labour Day and all are well.

 

Continue to DOGOODERY! As Rotary Connects the World.