DG'S MESSAGE FOR JANUARY 2013

January is Rotary Awareness Month. If we are going to truly bring awareness of Rotary to others, we need to have a clear and cogent statement of what Rotary is all about. With this in mind I can think of no better statement to share with others than the one that appears in the Rotary International Strategic Plan:

A worldwide network of inspired individuals who translate their passions into relevant social causes to change lives in communities.

This is undoubtedly the core essence of what we stand for and I ask each of you to embrace this statement so that you can unhesitatingly give it meaning and make others aware of what Rotary does in the world at home and abroad. As we start a new calendar year, let us continue to reverberate RI President Sakuji Tanaka's message of "Peace Through Service" and let others know about it.

Rotary Awareness is not only about our organisation's history but also our future. Assuming we are serious to attract new members, seasoned Rotarians must be prepared to share their knowledge and experience. Prospective members will want to know all about the opportunities for service and the resources available to them if they do commit to join a Rotary Club. And when we welcome that new member, there are traditions to pass on and a rich heritage to share.

It is said that "A man may have great truth, he may produce a good product – he may make a great discovery, but if he passes and no one benefits, it is because he did not share". Rotarians have a proud history marked by growth and achievement. That history is so deep and varied that while most of us can name Rotary milestones, far fewer know the complete story of programs and opportunities. The greater the understanding of Rotary's history and tradition of service, the better we are prepared to welcome new members and Serve above ourselves in our communities and around the world.

There is no doubt that 2013 is going to be a challenging year for us all, but as difficult as it may be for us it will be even harder for those less fortunate than ourselves. July last year I asked Clubs to look at the needs of their local communities – to seek out avenues for service directed towards Peace Through Service – and as I visit Clubs and read your bulletins I am amazed at the response you are giving locally. Thank you for all you have done and please keep up the good work – noting that the need has never been greater!

Of course being part of Rotary International and therefore Clubs also support many International projects, but remember one of our priorities is to also meet the Bill Gates Polio Challenge. Some Clubs have already achieved their target of contributing to the Rotary Foundation, but let us all make a final push so that in years to come we can say we played our part in freeing the world of this crippling disease.

Being half way through the Rotary Year, I would suggest that all clubs review their Club Planning Guides to see how many of your goals have been achieved. Let us also review how far we have gotten in increasing the awareness of Rotary in the first 6 months of the 2012-2013 Rotary year, and what can be done in the last 6 months.

I believe we have increased the awareness of Rotary in some areas, compared to where we started. In D9200 we have seen several key activities in the awareness of our fight to eradicate Polio. A great example of increasing Rotary Awareness. But these are mere steps. I would like you and especially the future leaders to take leaps to raise the bar and standard of this awareness.

Looking ahead - what about the 6 months ahead of us, during this Rotary year? Are there further possibilities to continue working on Rotary awareness? Rotary Awareness is up to each one of us. We can make it happen if we want. That is why I believe the next 6 months look as bright as ever.

It is important to note that the awareness factor does not only pertain to outside of our membership, but moreover is also related to our own members' attention to what we are about and our total dedication and commitment to our promises. Rotary awareness is therefore about both external as well as internal awareness.

Successful Rotary awareness is initiated from the clubs – If this is to happen it is because of the members in the clubs live up to the standards, deliver on the promises and care for the world outside the club, as much as they should care for every member within the club. And this will create the Rotary awareness that will make a real difference – From individual Rotarians; from our Rotary Club; from our network, our projects, our communities; our commitments to a better world, a world in peace, a world without hunger, a world without avoidable deceases, a literate world with clean water and sanitation to all. A world without Polio! If we as Rotarians deliver on our promises then Rotary awareness will be guaranteed for many years to come!

This is also the time of the year when we start preparing for the next Rotary Year and in the next few days DGEs Harry Mugo and Emmanuel Katongole will head out to San Diego, USA for their final training. And as they return, President Elects will be attending their training (PETS) for D9211 and D9212 respectively – and I urge all Rotarians to please support these efforts.

As we draw down the final curtain of D9200 – I take this opportunity to encourage you to join us at the 88th District Conference and Assembly – Be a part of the celebrations of all the achievements, the rich heritage and traditions of D9200 as we usher in the new dawn of our new future as District(s) 9211 and D9212 respectively!

My dear Rotarians, I have no doubt at all that we can, we must and we certainly will.

Yours in Rotary

Geeta Manek