Michael Procter presents DG Doings for February
World Understanding Month
February is a special month on the Rotary Calendar, as it includes the anniversary of the first meeting of Rotary held on February 23, 1905, now designated World Understanding and Peace Day. World Understanding Month is a chance for every club to pause, plan and promote the Fourth Avenue of Service-Rotary’s continued quest for goodwill, peace and understanding among people of the world.
This topic makes me think of Rotary’s reputation in the minds of people all over the world.
For example, I recently had a conversation with a woman whose career with the Government of Canada Department of External Affairs has taken her to many countries on different continents. She and many other members of the department are absolutely amazed at the freedom that nearly every country in the world gives to Rotary International in carrying out all the work they do. Rotary clubs in one part of the world can arrange to do projects in countries on the other side of the world with no need to have governments in either the donor countries or the recipient countries involved in the projects.
Four years ago I visited the City of Sunyani in Ghana where the five Rotary clubs in Nanaimo have been involved with sponsoring projects for a number of years. We made an appointment with the office of the Canadian High Commission (Embassy) in Accra. The only reason that we did so was as a courtesy and to let the High Commissioner know what a small group of Canadian Rotarians was doing in the country where she was representing our government.
I feel that this universal worldwide recognition of Rotary is a wonderful tribute to the organization that we love.
Leadership Training
Speaking of understanding, one of the best ways that the Rotary members in our District 5020 have to improve their understanding of the world of Rotary is by attending the District Leadership Training Assembly. This year the D.L.T.A. will be held in Centralia, Washington on March 27th and 28th. I have visited the Centralia College campus and it is a wonderful facility for hosting this training event.
Around the District
During my visits to each club in our district last year I encouraged every member to invite a non-Rotarian friend or acquaintance to come as a guest to a Rotary meeting. What a wonderful way to introducing people to Rotary and allowing them to understand what Rotary does in the world.
