The beginning of the Rotary year is full of both challenges and opportunities.  It is an exciting time when new energy, ideas and connections are brought into our leadership teams and when we thank those who have led our Clubs and District with such enthusiasm over the past year. 
Because leadership changes every year in Rotary, one of our challenges is continuity to ensure we achieve our long term goals.  This means not just doing those things we have always done, but ensuring the new initiatives, ideas and aspirations of your Club are worked through to completion.  Many initiatives take much longer than one year and one leadership team to achieve, whether it is reenergising your Club, increasing membership or developing a new community project
 
The beginning of the Rotary year is full of both challenges and opportunities.  It is an exciting time when new energy, ideas and connections are brought into our leadership teams and when we thank those who have led our Clubs and District with such enthusiasm over the past year. 
Because leadership changes every year in Rotary, one of our challenges is continuity to ensure we achieve our long term goals.  This means not just doing those things we have always done, but ensuring the new initiatives, ideas and aspirations of your Club are worked through to completion.  Many initiatives take much longer than one year and one leadership team to achieve, whether it is reenergising your Club, increasing membership or developing a new community project
You will see in the District Directory that, as in previous years, the District has a strategic plan which is developed and amended over time by current, incoming and future District Governors so that as a leadership team we are all committed to our strategic direction. 
Strategic planning involves creating a vision, with supporting goals that can be regularly measured and adjusted as needed.  Many Clubs have a strategic plan and I would encourage Clubs who do not have one to refer to Rotary’s Strategic Planning Guide and with your current and future leaders develop a plan to strengthen your Club for the future.   
Our District’s vision is to be “a valued and community-focused organisation that joins local and international leaders and resources, exchanges ideas and takes action.”  District leaders, committees and resources are available to help support all Clubs in our District, so please make the most of the expertise there is on offer.
All of our District leaders and their Committee members have been drawn from your Clubs because of the experience, expertise and energy they have in their particular areas and their willingness to learn and to be of service to other Clubs.  I am humbled by the generosity of the many people who have agreed to take on roles in the District and thank them for agreeing to help support our Clubs and our District.
Denise and I wish all Rotarians a fulfilling, satisfying and enjoyable year in the service of your communities and we look forward to visiting your Clubs.