My Rotary Family...October has arrived and we are in the 2nd Quarter of the Rotary year. This month we focus on Growing Local Economies. Have you measured your progress against your plans?
“We carry out service projects that enhance economic and community development and create opportunities for decent and productive work for young and old. We also strengthen local entrepreneurs and community leaders, particularly women, in impoverished communities”. – TRF.
We are doing this throughout the length and breadth of our District as communities struggle to cope with the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.
You have submitted your applications for District Grants and the District Rotary Foundation committee is busy adjudicating on the worthiest causes based on the strength of the applications. Due to lower levels of support for TRF in recent times, the amount of DDF available is limited which means that unfortunately not all applications can be approved.
World Polio Day is October 24th. Our District will celebrate this day and you are all invited to join us. Join us too, in making your contributions to the End Polio Fund at TRF. Every little bit helps as we support RI President Holger Knaack who asked us to help Rotary keep it’s promise to the Children of the world – let us End Polio Now.
This month the District PR / Communications team hosted on October 7th, a special event aimed at modern enterprise and e-commerce. This is not aimed purely at Rotarians so register and bring your friends along. Rotary gives back as we enhance the value proposition for members and our communities.
REFLECTION: At the top of my reflection list is the tragic loss of two of our family members. Rotaractor, turned Rotarian Sheranne Samuel from the Rotary Club of Central Port of Spain and Interactor Levi Den Dekker, son of Rotarian Gerard Den Dekker of Rotary Club of Paramaribo, both passed away suddenly. My wife, Maggie and I join with Rotarians, Rotaractors and Interactors in grief as we hold up their families in prayer.
September was also marked with positive developments in our great District and while we reflect, we can draw motivation and strength from our achievements:
- The birth of a new Rotary Club in Guyana – Welcome Rotary Club of Garden City (Georgetown) with 33 Charter members (September 17th).
- The induction of nine new members into the Rotary Club of Demerara (October 3rd)
- Celebration of Basic Education and Literacy Month with RI President Elect Shekhar Mehta (September 12th).
- Recognition of International Day of Peace with RI Director Peter Kyle – September 21st – The theme for 2020 is “Shaping Peace Together”. This was a Celebration of District 7030 Peace initiatives.
- District 7030 is now officially recognized as a Peace Builder District.
I believe we have the most diverse and awesome District on the planet. I have visited 41 of the 73 Rotary clubs in our District, 26 Rotaract clubs and one Interact club and I am energized by the creativity and passion of our Rotary family. Clubs have carried out and are carrying out projects that are thoughtful, kind, impactful and sustainable; projects that are based on all seven areas of focus, while all the time being mindful of the health and safety of our members. I have seen simply exceptional creativity in fund raising. I am so motivated by you all at a time when the theme – Rotary Opens Opportunities, has been fully embraced.
All of our District Committees are providing leadership to our members and we are developing leaders for tomorrow. Our membership growth is remarkable and it is being lead by Guyana but many clubs are on the verge of inducting new members. This demonstrates to the Rotary world that we in District 7030 are leaders as we adapt to the changed world. Rotary has changed forever and we are among the first to embrace the change and make it ours.
Family, I applaud your efforts and your passion and drive. We will emerge from this pandemic, stronger, more resilient and better Rotarians. Take the opportunity to visit the Learning Center on MyRotary.org and create the best Rotarian you know.
“It isn’t enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it. And it isn’t enough to believe in it. One must work at it..”– Eleanor Roosevelt
God Bless, stay safe and stay connected.
D. Lisle Chase
District 7030 Team Leader 2020/2021