Annual District Governor's Visit

On Friday, November 15, members welcomed District Governor Len Agrusti to our meeting at The Courtyard by Marriott in Montvale.

After a pre-meeting gathering with the club’s directors, Governor Len shared with the club a bit about his introduction to Rotary, his assessment of the Park Ridge club and objectives for his year as Governor of District 7490.

A graduate of Marquette University with a Masters Degree from Fairleigh Dickinson, Governor Len became a successful businessman who had the good fortune to be able to retire at a relatively young age. Upon retirement he committed himself to Rotary – the greatest international service organization in the world.

Whether it’s eradicating polio world -wide or providing assistance to a needy local family, Rotary is there. Governor Len commended the Park Ridge Club on all of the projects it has undertaken through the years to try to “make the world a better place”. As he reflected on his own club’s Christmas in July project which has been going on for many years, he proposed that a similar idea might be applied to a local Veterans’ Hospital.

Governor Len has several goals set for the District this Rotary year, many of which are well on their way to being accomplished. We must support the Annual Fund of the Rotary Foundation. This money is the life blood for all of the good that Rotary does. Growing membership is essential. Not only must we recruit more people, we must also retain them. To do so we must adapt to change, engage more young people and listen to the ideas of new members. Being a member of his home town First Aid Squad for decades, Governor Len is also determined to spread awareness of the American Heart Association approved Hands on CPR to members throughout the District. Those trained in the technique are able to keep the blood flowing in a victim of sudden cardiac arrest  until medical help arrives.

With reference to the most recent tragedy in the Philippines, Governor Len noted that two affiliates of Rotary International, Shelter Box (http://www.shelterboxusa.org ) and Disaster Aid USA (http://www.disasteraidusa.com ) are currently on the ground providing assistance and urged members to do whatever they can to support them.

In summary, Governor Len referred to RI’s theme for 2013-14 – “Engage Rotary; Change Lives” – and suggested that by engaging change, Rotary will continue to live and thrive.