A Year in the Life of a District Governor
Posted by Joan Whelan
Our own Past President and now Past District Governor Norm Bindon was our speaker today.
Norm expanded his topic, ‘A Year in the Life of a District Governor’, to cover 5 years including the ‘how’ and the ‘why’ of becoming District Governor. Norm’s journey to DG began from frustration; while District Youth Exchange Chair he recognized the lack of Youth representation at District Council.
He became District Secretary, allowing him to surreptitiously provide that representation at every meeting. He was successful in having the District Council create the position of District Director Youth Programs. This gave Youth Programs a permanent seat at the table and made leaders of our club and our District several years before New Generations became the 5th Avenue of Service.
Norm expanded his topic, ‘A Year in the Life of a District Governor’, to cover 5 years including the ‘how’ and the ‘why’ of becoming District Governor. Norm’s journey to DG began from frustration; while District Youth Exchange Chair he recognized the lack of Youth representation at District Council.
He became District Secretary, allowing him to surreptitiously provide that representation at every meeting. He was successful in having the District Council create the position of District Director Youth Programs. This gave Youth Programs a permanent seat at the table and made leaders of our club and our District several years before New Generations became the 5th Avenue of Service.
Norm says that, after several years on District Council without making too many enemies, he slipped into the DG position when no one was looking. He then described over 2 years of intense training involving many District, Zone and International mandatory sessions to ensure that he knew as much as he always claimed.
His District Governor year was the shortest part of his talk; the highlights were Club visits, inducting new members, presenting Paul Harris awards and attending our Club without being fined.
Norm’s explanation of his current role gave us, and particularly new Rotarians, an insight into the role played by District as a support structure to assist the clubs. We don’t waste all that training and experience; most of the Past District Governors in 7080 continue a very active level of participation.
Rotary is a ground up organization. Polio Plus was initiated by a club as was New Generations as an Avenue of Service. Both were initially resisted by the hierarchy but the clubs and Districts persevered. District and Rotary International exist only to provide support and encouragement.
Norm was the first District Governor from our Club in 50 years. He temporarily suppressed his ego [his words] to suggest that this was more from club level lack of knowledge of District activities than because of his superior abilities; we are not totally convinced that he believes that. He apologized for not always carrying his weight at the club but a review of his Rotary schedule suggests that his plate is indeed still full.