Posted by Beth Selby, District 7070 Governor 2019-20

Our new District Governor Beth Selby ended the Ceremonies by thanking Mary Lou for her outstanding Rotary year. There is more.....

 

Beth's remarks:

It is my pleasure on behalf of all District Rotarians to thank Mary Lou for her efforts this year as our District Governor. Mary Lou brought enthusiasm, credibility and leadership to the District Governor role. She shared her strongly-held views with the best intentions for Rotary; especially, with respect to the lack of women as Rotary International Directors.

Mary Lou also brought inclusivity into our district - capped off with official participation in the Toronto Pride Parade.

Success takes perseverance, passion, courage and talent.  Mary Lou will continue to be an inspiration to us all as she takes on the role of Zone Assistant Coordinator for Public Image.  

On the cover of the July, 2018 Rotarian magazine, there was a Flamboyance of Flamingos (yes, that is what you call a group of flamingos) in front of Rotary International President Barry Rassin and his wife, Esther.  

At first glance, you think all of the flamingos seem to be going in the same direction.  But, when you look more closely at the flamingos, you’ll see that one of them is going in the opposite direction to the others.

That flamingo is Douglas.  Many of us heard about and met Douglas when Mary Lou visited clubs and attended District Rotary events.

A few of us sourced some flamingo items for you as mementos of the year in which you were our District Governor.  So, come forward and see what we have for you.

They were amazing - everything flamingo.

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Some background on the 2019-20 Rotary year: 
 

 

Rotary International President-elect Mark Daniel Maloney explained his vision for building a stronger Rotary, calling on leaders to expand connections to their communities and to embrace innovative membership models.

RI President-elect Mark Daniel Maloney announces the 2019-20 presidential theme, Rotary Connects the World, to incoming district governors in San Diego, California, USA. See video of his speech.

Maloney, a member of the Rotary Club of Decatur, Alabama, USA, unveiled the 2019-20 presidential theme, Rotary Connects the World, to incoming district governors at Rotary’s annual training event, the International Assembly, in San Diego, California, USA, on Monday.

“The first emphasis is to grow Rotary — to grow our service, to grow the impact of our projects, but most importantly, to grow our membership so that we can achieve more,” Maloney said.

Maloney believes that connection is at the heart of the Rotary experience.

“(Rotary) allows us to connect with each other, in deep and meaningful ways, across our differences,” Maloney said. “It connects us to people we would never otherwise have met, who are more like us than we ever could have known. It connects us to our communities, to professional opportunities, and to the people who need our help.”

Maloney also called on every Rotary and Rotaract club to identify segments of their community not represented in their club by creating a membership committee with diverse members.  

“Through Rotary, we connect to the incredible diversity of humanity on a truly unique footing, forging deep and lasting ties in pursuit of a common goal,” he added. “In this ever more divided world, Rotary connects us all.”

Maloney urged leaders to offer alternative meeting experiences and service opportunities to make it easier for busy professionals and people with many family obligations to serve in leadership roles.

“We need to foster a culture where Rotary does not compete with the family, but rather complements it,” Maloney said. “That means taking real, practical steps to change the existing culture: being realistic in our expectations, considerate in our scheduling, and welcoming of children at Rotary events on every level.”

Maloney said many of the barriers that prevent people from serving as leaders in Rotary are based on expectations that are no longer relevant.

“It is time to adapt, to change our culture, and to convey the message that you can be a great district governor without visiting every club individually, and a great president without doing everything yourself.”

Relationship with the United Nations

During 2019-20, Rotary will host a series of presidential conferences around the world, focusing on Rotary’s relationship with the United Nations and the UN’s sustainable development goals that many Rotary service projects support. More information will be available in July.

In 2020, the United Nations will celebrate the 75th anniversary of its charter and its mission of promoting peace. Rotary was one of 42 organizations the United States invited to serve as consultants to its delegation at the 1945 San Francisco conference, which led to the UN’s charter. For decades, Rotary has worked alongside the United Nations to address humanitarian issues around the world. Today, Rotary holds the highest consultative status that the UN offers to nongovernmental organizations.

“Rotary shares the United Nations’ enduring commitment to a healthier, more peaceful, and more sustainable world,” Maloney said. “And Rotary offers something no other organization can match: an existing infrastructure that allows people from all over the world to connect in a spirit of service and peace and take meaningful action toward that goal.”