District 7020 DG Diana White Installation Dinner

History was made in Rotary District 7020 on Saturday July 3rd when Rotarian Diana White was installed as the first female District Governor by none other than Rotary International President, Ray Klinginsmith.

Held at St. Peter Mountain Great House, St. Thomas approximately 150 distinguished community and Rotary leaders, including US Virgin Islands Governor John DeJongh, Jr, and Mrs. DeJongh; Rotary International President, Ray Klinginsmith and Mrs. Judie Klinginsmith, Director John Smarge and Mrs. Cindy Smarge, Rotary International Coordinator, Dwane Sterling and Mrs. Pat Sterling, several past District Governors, Assistant Governors Past and Incoming Presidents, other distinguished Rotarians and guests attended this auspicious occasion. In addition to the Rotary International delegation, Rotarians from Jamaica, Haiti, Bahamas, Cayman Islands, British Virgin Islands and The US Virgin Islands were on hand to witness and celebrate history in the making and to have an inspiring up close encounter with Rotary International President Ray Klinginsmith.

Attendees were privileged to hear from a slate of  distinguished speakers. In his brief remarks Governor John DeJongh, Jr.  applauded the work of Rotary and recognized Rotary as an organization that transcends class and one that does a tremendous amount of good for humanity.

Immediate Past District Governor (IPDG), Errol Alberga  was hailed by District Governor Diana as a true gentleman and one with tremendous success during his year, having among other things, significantly increased  membership in District 7020 for which he was recognized in Montreal, Canada at the recently held Rotary International Convention.

District Governor Diana was described by IPDG Errol as an extremely persuasive leader who is destined to be hugely successful.  As Rotary tradition would have it The Rotary Club of Charlotte Amalie, DG Diana's home Club, will be the proud home of the District 7020 Banner during the Rotary Year 2010 -2011.

Following her installation  as well as the installation of several  of  her presidents by  Rotary International President Ray Klinginsmith, District Governor Diana  touched on four aspects important to the health of Rotary in the District:  The Power of one - what can be achieved from one idea of one Rotarian acted upon by a network of Rotarians. The need for New Year's resolutions for the new Rotary Year which started 1^st July.  The need to review existing practices with a view to improving  or even changing them.  The importance of relationship building within Rotary Clubs, across Districts and Internationally as Rotarians unite in one common dream and draw inspiration from one another to think big, and to achieve big.  DG Diana also spoke of the important goal of nurturing and building the 10 new Clubs that were chartered in the past two years as their strength and success will help to determine if the District can continue to build communities and bridge continents.

DG Diana went on to say that the heart and soul of Rotary is in the Clubs and that there is not a more important leader in Rotary than a Club President.  Rotarians were invited to lend support to their respective President and to rise to the challenge of making their clubs Bigger, Better, and Bolder.

Rotary International President Ray Klinginsmith's remarks were among the highlights of the evening. He was Introduced by RI Director John Smarge as  approachable, having a great sense of humour, an  extra ordinary great debater, a tremendous intellect, an avid  reader, a consensus builder, compassionate, extremely analytical, dedicated to the traditions of Rotary  and open minded  about the need to change, cares deeply about youths, ethical, thoughtful,  and  experienced.

Rotarians were exhorted by President Ray Klinginsmith to follow the messages in the song "Cowboy Logic by Michael Martin Murphey":  Do a good job in what we do; keep things simple especially at Club level.  President  Ray is a firm believer that Rotary's core values of service, fellowship, leadership, diversity and integrity are some of the qualities that bring and keep Rotarians together.   He   encouraged everyone to uphold  the "Code of the West": Some things are not for sale and another is to do what needs to be done. He went on to say that Rotary's core values are not for sale but there is a need to bring practices and procedures up to date  and that Rotarians  and Clubs need to take a hard look at what needs to be done and how things can be done better. Taking pride in our work was another lesson cited by President Ray  from the "Code of the West". According to President Ray the pride of the Rotarian should be seen through the significance of the community projects and community services undertaken by Rotary Clubs which should help to perpetuate the spirit of Rotary for our children and grand children.