RI President Kalyan Banerjee searched for a theme that would emphasize his vision of care for all mankind. He found it with: "Reach Within to Embrace Humanity". He asked us to look within ourselves to understand that all humanity has similar dreams, hopes, aspirations, and problems. During the 2011-2012 Rotary year, we have three emphases in our Rotary service: to strengthen our families, to continue what we do best and to change what needs to be changed.
Our families are the highest priority. Family first, then we can reach out to the community and the world.
As I look at our District, I am filled with pride at our accomplishments: the community projects, the incredible work with international projects and our dedication to our youth through RYLA, YAIL, RYE, Interact and Rotoract. All this is possible through the dedication of individual Rotarians and the cohesiveness of their Rotary clubs. We will continue to do what we do best in these areas.We are challenged with declining membership and retention. Membership is of utmost importance. District and club leadership should continue to find new and innovative ways to attract and grow membership. Our new generations offer us a wealth and depth of leadership, but we must change the way we attract and keep them.
The second challenge is in the area of Foundation. This year every member of every club is asked to make a donation to the Annual Programs Fund. Club leadership should look within for ideas to accomplish this goal. Your club presidents and boards have set ambitious goals for both membership growth and Foundation contributions. As we go through this year, please keep working diligently to achieve success in these areas.
This year we have an added incentive from RI President Kalyan Banerjee, which covers each Avenue of Service. The roadmap for this is the Changemaker Award. It is my hope that District 5050 will have at least one club winning that award and representing us at the RI Convention in Bangkok in May of 2012. It would reflect our ongoing initiatives to improve literacy, to provide clean water and to ease hunger and poverty in the world. The Presidential Citation and the Change Maker award outlines the many ways clubs have a guarantee of a successful year. I have asked the Club President's to follow these guidelines and share them with their club members in order to achieve them.
I look forward to visiting each of the clubs in our District. I am especially interested in hearing about your Community, International, Vocational, and New Generations projects and to celebrate their unique and innovative qualities.Let us continue our strong support of our youth programs and let us strengthen our commitment to Foundation, Polio eradication, and Membership.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your District Governor.
Reach Within To Embrace Humanity.
Jane Helten
District Governor 2011-2012
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