February is World Peace and Understanding Month and it provides a time of reflection of our role in helping to make the world a better place. Rotary provides a model that is based on our Six Areas of Focus. Graphically, The Pyramid of Peace clearly shows how the other five areas are the foundation to establishing and maintaining peace. Without saving mothers and children, providing clean water, fighting disease, growing local economies and supporting education, peace will never be possible.

 

Our clubs provide service in each of these areas, locally and globally, and you continue to do your role in the development of peace. For this, the world is thankful!

 

As I had said in my official visits, the world needs us more now than ever. It is in the little things that Rotarians do daily, smile and treat others with respect, put someone else's needs before our own and provide service to others who need a helping hand. It is the little things that sometimes pay the biggest dividends to those we serve, and in the long run, to ourselves as well.

 

 

Locally, there is so much that we need to address. The biggest issue that is threatening our society today is addiction. The opioid crisis has affected almost all of us in some way and it is time to take action. This year's World Peace and Understanding Dinner on February 28th will be focused on this issue. Register here!

 

Our keynote speaker will be District Attorney Marian Ryan and she will share her view of this overwhelming threat, what is being done in the public and private spheres and what we, as Rotarians, can do to Make a Difference. Prior to dinner there will be a Showcase with organizations that are dedicated to reducing and hopefully eliminating addiction and you will have an opportunity to volunteer your vocational talents to help them achieve success.

 

The time is now for all of us to step up and Make a Difference! How will you help bring about peace?

 

 

The district's signature project is the Polar Plunge. This Saturday, our members and friends will gather in Gloucester and brave the frigid waters to eradicate polio. We just hit $50,000 and there is still 2 days left to add to that. There is still time to register to plunge or to donate here!

 

 

 

Dave Gardner

District Governor 2017-2018
djg@boydsdirect.com
617-504-3695 Cell
781-438-4003 Office