Rotary Family (for those who do not know what I mean by that, I mean Rotarians, Rotaractors, Interactors and Early Actors).
First let me embrace the families of all fallen family members over the course of this year. Maggie and I pray for your continued strength.
Coming off the back of Peace and Conflict Prevention/Resolution month where the District Peace Committee again hosted a very enjoyable zoom meeting which was well attended by Rotarians and Rotaractors across the District, we are now into Water and Sanitation Month – never a dull moment!
But before I continue this thought, let me give a big shout out to Rotaractors across our District as they celebrate the 53rd Birthday of Rotaract on March 13th. The week of March 8th to 14th is World Rotaract Week this year. And do we ever have things to celebrate! First off, let me say what a terrific job our District Rotaract Committee is doing. Headed by Dynamic District Rotaract Committee Chair, President Giselle Holder, and equally dynamic District Rotaract Representative, Kevan St. Brice this committee is humming!- They have overseen Rotaract’s growth from 634 members at July 1st to over 1,000 at the end of February this year. That is outstanding!
- They piloted the long outstanding finalization of the Rotaract Manual of Procedures
- They have worked with the District Communications Officer Sean Paddy to ensure that all Rotaract Clubs are now uploaded to the Clubrunner platform.
- We Chartered a new Rotaract Club – RTC Penal last month, and we Re-activated a Dormant Club RTC San Fernando.
- Rotaract Clubs across the District have been carrying out innovative projects to raise funds and to support their communities, as well as engaging in the development of members.
- Rotaractors now serve on some of our District Committees in Rotary (hopefully all by next year), and
- Elevate Rotaract is pretty well accepted and understood by all who will listen.
Great job and a great success story in a challenging year.
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene is vitally important to us in District 7030 and especially with the increased need for all three in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. We have many great stories to share on projects that we have done and will do but I want to reference one that is dear to my heart.
The Rotary Satellite Club of Saint Lucia Sunset undertook a project this year to first raise funds and then renovate the school bathrooms at an all but forgotten government school in Saint Lucia. A young Satellite club with absolutely no cash balances but loaded with young and talented Rotarians, they replaced toilets and re tiled and painted the bathrooms, plus built and installed wash basins at a height that the smallest children could reach.
This is an absolute example of People of Action opening opportunities and changing lives. Congratulations to this Satellite Club and thank you for reminding us that we are our best when challenged.
Our District conference is now just six weeks away. Our team is working hard to produce an absolutely outstanding PETS and Conference. Pre- PETS is in full swing and the culmination will be on Saturday April 17th following an opening meet and greet on Friday 16th. There are outstanding speakers lined up – not to be missed! On Monday 19th through Thursday 22nd we have Conference Break out sessions for an hour to an hour and a half each evening, starting at 6.00 O’Clock (AST) Visit our District Website to learn more. On Friday 23rd we have the Opening Ceremony starting again at about 6.00pm (AST). When this is over we will have a meet and greet session for those so inclined – President Leathon Khan promises loads of laughs. On Saturday April 24th our District Conference will continue with a raft of inspiring speakers including RI President Holger’s Special Representative, PDG Steph Schluter, RI Director Peter Kyle and others, and let’s not forget a peek into 2021/2022 with DGE Sonya. In the afternoon we will have our Business meeting where we will hear from DGND Brian Glasgow and PDG David Edwards will pilot us through the Resolutions of the Day. This will be followed by another meet and greet session so we are confident that we will have something for everyone.
Let’s make this the best attended District Conference ever my family. Make sure your clubs all register, remember no need for individuals to pay as we are asking clubs to pay a flat fee of $500 ($200 for Rotaract). This will cover our costs of production as we will be broadcasting from Rotary Central in Saint Lucia with those who can be with us in attendance. Clubs are encouraged to gather and decorate your location and ensure food and drinks in order to create comradery in every territory as we meet remotely. The design of the District Conference Logo and Polo Shirt should be with you for local production. Let’s wear our Polos with pride my friends.
Lastly, stand by for the District awards guide. We have decided to have a District Awards Ceremony and once we clear the date in June (probably the 3rd week), we will advise. We hope to send the awards out in advance to the AGs to deliver on the evening in every location. This promises to be exciting as we have so many Heroes across the District.
Let’s have FUN as we show our resilience and our adaptability. Thank you all for being an awesome Team 7030.
For the very few who watched the video messages, we gave up due to lack of demand. 😊
D. Lisle Chase
District 7030 Team Leader 2020/2021