Kia Ora Ano
One of the highlights of our year as a Rotary district is our conference which is being held in Whanganui this coming weekend. It’s a chance for Rotarians from around the District to connect, enjoy some social time and be informed
This year’s conference theme ‘Light My Fire’ reflect my aim to inspire and enthuse Rotarians by presenting some concepts and personalities that will maybe suggest some opportunities or challenge our thinking a little. It is also a chance to celebrate some of our remarkable achievements and have some FUN!
I look forward to welcoming you to Whanganui this weekendMay in our Rotary calendar is Youth Service Month. Youth Service is a strong focus of clubs across our District. We can all see the value of investing in young people, and the obvious benefit of educating, inspiring and enabling our young people to be the best they can be. Here in New Zealand we have communities who struggle to provide opportunities for their young people, for many reasons. Are we as Rotarians actively seeking Youth Service opportunities? These may not be in the form of traditional Rotary projects, but something unique to our own community? There are a lot of opportunities to change lives and futures!
Rotary has some flagship youth programmes and two which spring quickly to mind, and which have huge impact on the young people who participate, are RYLA and RYPEN, both of which we have delivered in our District this year. The Rotary Club of Hutt City has just handed over delivery of the very successful RYLA programme to Hutt Valley and the RYPEN programme, for secondary school students, is now being delivered with great success by the Rotary Club of Inglewood after an amazing 25 years with the Taihape club. Please support these programmes by sponsoring candidates
It is very encouraging to see the growth in membership of our two Rotaract Clubs and the chartering of Interact Clubs in secondary schools right across the District. Let’s keep the ball rolling with these great Youth Service opportunities.
Lastly, every Rotary Club in our District is making a difference in its community. The variety and impact of the projects and programmes you undertake continues to blow us away as Mike and I visit you. There is absolutely no doubt that Rotary makes New Zealand a better place. Keep it up, and tell your wonderful Rotary stories every chance you get!
Ka kite
Marion