Message from Don Sword

 

Two weeks ago, I had no idea that I would be writing this message.

 

In last month’s bulletin DG Jillian Gibson shared the details of her significant health challenges. Unfortunately, a couple of weeks ago she shared with district leaders that she had made the difficult decision to step down as Governor.

 

Jillian has been my friend and colleague for many years, and I know how hard she worked to prepare for this year and how much she wanted to serve our district as Governor. I know that this was an extremely difficult decision for her.  All of us in the Rotary District 7815 family wish her a speedy return to good health. We can all thank Jillian for her efforts, especially the excellent job in setting up her district leadership team and putting in place key processes and procedures to organize and run the district better.

 

As a result of Jillian’s decision to step down, DGE Marcel Gervais followed proper RI procedure to appoint a Vice Governor. He had to find a PDG who was willing and able to assume the DG role for the balance of this Rotary year following Jillian’s formal resignation. Marcel asked and I said yes, and that is why I am writing this message.

 

I know many of you through my 35 years of being a Rotarian, serving on a variety of club, district and Zone positions and especially my term at DG of the former District 7820 in 2017-18. More recently, I have met many of you in my role as a facilitator with RLI Atlantic Division. Since I joined the district’s Foundation Committee a year ago as Endowment Chair I have been on a “roadshow” visiting clubs across our district via Zoom and in person to talk about the Endowment Fund.  I hope to meet more district Rotarians and visit more clubs between now and June 30, 2025.

 

Having to step into the District Governor role five months into the year is a daunting task. However, I have been in the DG role before, and I know that I will have the support of a fantastic District Leadership team.

 

My plan for the next seven months is quite simple. I want to help our district, and our clubs complete this Rotary year in a way that honours and respects Jillian’s strategies, plans, organization, and vision. We have our Four Priorities, our One Magical Project and an exciting District Conference in May in Halifax to work on.  Let’s demonstrate the “Magic of Rotary” in action!