In her July 2021 Newsletter, Rotary International Director Valarie Wafer welcomes us all to a new Rotary year, our challenge to Serve To Change Lives, and shares with us her personal goals and asks us to set ours such as brining a potential member into Rotary (Each One , Bring One), helping to eradicate polio, supporting the Rotary Foundation, attending the International Convention in Houston and the Beyond Borders special event there, exploring innovative club models, brining diversity to our clubs and many more .........
Dear Rotarains, Rotaractors and the whole Rotary family in District 7070,
And now we welcome the new Rotary year! -Serve to Change Lives
As I write this, we have just passed the summer solstice, the longest day of the year and the beginning of summer. In recent weeks as I have travelled virtually through our Zones, I sense an awakening, hope and expectation of what is to come. We are literally emerging from our homes. For many of us it has been a long hibernation of necessary protocols to keep us safe and do our part to stop the spread of this pandemic.
And yet, in our clubs, districts and zones we have flourished. We have found new ways to connect, new ways to fundraise and new ways to experience Rotary. Our changeover and celebration events have reinforced our core value of fellowship, our Rotary family has never been so important.
“What a wonderful thought is that some of the best days of our lives haven’t even happened yet” -Anne Frank
I hope you each enjoyed our 2021 Virtual Convention. Congratulations are certainly in order to PRIP Holger Knaack and the team that put together incredible speakers, energetic entertainment and some fabulous breakouts. The online platform will remain available until December 31, 2021 in order to view the presentations on demand.
Remember to register for the Houston convention at convention.rotary.org and stay tuned for further details on our Beyond Borders Event to take place at the convention.
As we begin to Serve to Change Lives, let us set personal, club and district goals.
My personal commitment is to wear my Rotary pin every day, continue to support the Annual Fund as a Paul Harris Society Member and support the end of Polio.
This year I am going to ask everyone to continue to explore new innovative club models. To bring diversity into our clubs and reflect our communities. Let’s each commit to Each One Bring One and invite a new member into Rotary to reach President Shekhar’s goal of 1.3m members.
I hope to visit with many of you this coming year and look forward to sharing many of your special events with you.
Until then be well and be safe!
Yours In Rotary,
Valarie
Valarie Wafer
Rotary International Director (2020-22)
Rotary Club of Collingwood, South Georgian Bay
valarie.wafer@gmail.com