This week’s meeting featured Rotary District Assistant Governor Debbie Meegan, and District Governor Mark Scolnick.
Debbie opened the meeting by introducing a new Rotary theme, “Rotary Opens Opportunities.” This new theme is to remind us of the opportunities to connect with:
· Local businesses and leaders
· The surrounding community
· Individual lives
Debbie introduced District Governor Mark Schonick:
Mark joined the Westford Massachusetts Rotary Club in July 1973. In the Westford Club Mark held several leadership positions including President in 1977. In 1995 Mark was the Rotary Group Study Exchange Team Leader to South Africa where he spent five life altering weeks in the Durban area. Mark is a multiple Paul Harris Fellow and a Major Donor. In 2007 Mark came to Lakeland Florida to retire. The first thing he found was The Lakeland Rotary Club. Mark was club Secretary for 4 years, the club Foundation Chair for 3 years, and he served on the District 6890 Foundation Committee for 4 years.
Mark shared the four goals of Rotary International President Holger Knaack:
1. Expand our reach by creating a satellite club and by forming a community-based Rotaract (student-run) club.
2. Host at least one strategic meeting each year at which you ask: What should our club be like in five years and what steps should we take to help achieve that vision? What value do we bring our members?
3. Select new members carefully. Make sure that they are a good fit with your club and that your club meets their expectations.
4. Continue your club’s efforts to end polio by donating to End Polio Now and by hosting a World Polio Day event in October. We must fulfill the promise that we made to the children of this world
Mark also reminded the membership Rotary’s seven areas of focus:
1. Promoting peace
2. Fighting disease
3. Provide clean water
4. Savings mothers and children
5. Supporting education
6. Growing local economies
7. Supporting the environment
Mark updated the club on the progress of eliminating polio worldwide. He reported that only two countries remain to address polio: Afghanistan and Pakistan. While this sounds like a remote and small area, both of these countries have porous borders, and residents from those countries can easily carry the disease to other countries.
Lastly, Mark encouraged members to stay in contact with other members, especially during this time when we are unable to meet as easily or participate together in events and projects. “Friends don’t let friends leave Rotary.”
