DG Levert
Posted by Bill Molesworth
Ralph introduced Richard Levert, a Rotarian for 32 years, who joined the Timmins Club and then moved to Sudbury where he now resides. He's a PH Fellow, a Foundation Donor and father of two grown children.
Richard thanked Ralph and Kathy for their hospitality, Dan for being a great Assistant DG and welcomed Jill from the Penetang Club.
He asked why should we join Rotary? Because we are people that believe that, through numbers, we can make a difference. He felt that he had started as a member, for the lunches and the social aspect, but it was impressed upon him that Rotary is more than that and he felt he had become a Rotarian and that he took on the motto 'Service above Self' and that it has brought him to a wider world, an exposure to poverty and disease but also to the difference we can make.
He has travelled with a team to a diabetes hospital in the Dominican Republic and gone to Lima, Peru to help out with a school the Sudbury Club supports for 400 children with special needs.
The Director of that school will be speaking at this year's conference. District 7010 has over $225,000.00 invested to help in long term distance education there and now some graduates are supporting their families despite their disabilities, thanks to that school. Last year he went to the Philippines where the Club is building a home for a grandmother who is raising her grandchildren and who will have running water for the first time.
He talked about the difference a well makes to children in South Africa and said he cannot imagine his life without Rotary or what the world would look like without Rotarians.
Richard itemized the Presidential Citation goals for this year. One new member per club - so far the District has inducted 9. Work towards the eradication of Polio. Advance the recognition of Rotary in the community with coverage of at least one event. Increase the capacity to provide service. Expand membership quantity and quality. Emphasize unique vocational service. Work to support the Foundation - the District is trying for $200.00 per member.
And he issued a challenge to members to try to get to the Int'l Conference in Montreal next year. He hopes to see at least 6 members per Club. As 240 made it to Chicago, he doesn't thing Montreal should be a problem.
Richard also mentioned the District Conference at Niagara on the Lake. There will be lots to do - wine, golf, shopping, drama, gambling and a great program too!
Rotarians have committed to each leave the world a little better place than when they found it and each Rotarian is the most important one. Rotary is a bottom up, inverse pyramid where the membership is served and emphasized.