Thank you all for the support and trust you have provided me as I take on the president role for Cromwell Rotary. It is indeed an honour.
On the 4th we celebrated change over with about 48 people including representatives of Lions and other Rotary clubs in our Central Otago Community. I thought I would reiterate some of the key messages from the changeover.
It was good to reflect on a very successful year and remind ourselves of the power of Rotary in the world. Nick Wood’s epic Pumpkins for Polio was a powerful example of what can be achieved. But also, alongside the big ticket successes such as Lot 47 and Pumpkins for Polio there were many smaller examples of how the Cromwell Club has gone about its work, supporting many local causes and transforming projects in the local community.
Our theme this year is ‘Imagine Rotary’. RI President Jennifer Jones wants members to imagine the possibilities in the change they can make to transform the world.
For us, as a club, “finding the right ‘part’ to engage each member should be our core function” and in that regard I want to again thank the team who have come forward to assist me in this year.
Engaging members is crucial to retaining members, and it's vital we all find ways to belong and contribute, and that is why I have attempted to co-share some of the director roles and balance the workload amongst us.
I’m looking forward to continuing our record of hands-on service, and collaboration with our fellow Lions and Rotary clubs, developing leaders and building on our culture of friendliness, fellowship and service.
This month I will be holding our first directors meeting for the year every 2nd Wednesday of the month starting on the 13th. I have our first monthly meeting with ADG Keith McIntosh with fellow Rotary presidents on the 6th and will be meeting with Corinne Mudge, who has been appointed to a sponsorship role with Cromwell College on Monday 10th.
Speaking about dates, please look at saving the date of the RI Conference in Melbourne 27-31 May 2023 and note the inaugural District 9999 Conference dates of 24-26th March 2023 in Oamaru.
As I stated at changeover, I imagine this year will go very quickly!