DG'S MESSAGE FOR JUNE 2013

As I sit here at my desk, in my familiar surroundings, it seems unimaginable that there are only 30 days left to my Governorship. How time flies! The opportunity to serve as part of the leadership team for D9200 has been both challenging and rewarding. Challenging, in that so much needs to happen in so little time....yet rewarding, as I witness the amazing magic that is Rotary...when we come together as members of this incredible global organization to touch lives within communities around us. I have met and worked with so many Rotarians and non‐Rotarians as we continue to press forward in our strive for Peace Through Service – always putting others before ourselves!

As we look on to the horizon towards the end of this Rotary Year – I am sure this may have more meaning for those in leadership positions like Club Presidents, Country and District Officers and especially to me, as District Governor. It is our time to "pass the torch" to the next class of Rotary leaders. As a Rotary leader, if you have kept your eye on doing and continuing to do good works through Rotary International, I'm sure this will be a joyous time as you now are able to rely on those new leaders who will take care of the clubs and projects that you have tried to foster. As your District Governor, I too find myself in that fortunate position.

But just as the sun sets on the 2012‐13 Rotary year, there's always a new dawn. I can only hope that you all feel a sense of satisfaction with the goals you have achieved this year. Whether it be increasing membership in your club, a new project launched or greater participation in the wider Rotary family. The genius of Rotary is that we hand over our responsibilities at the end of each year to others who will carry the Rotary ideal forward applying different talents and emphases. This is a creative process and if managed well contributes to Rotary's strength as an organisation. We need to ensure that the handover process is smooth, seamless and effective. In particular, let us ensure that new office holders are fully briefed and supported in their new roles. This is where the Club Leadership Plan comes into its own with its emphasis on succession planning. Remember your success will be in the legacy of the succession plan. There are of course many who will continue in their current roles. This is a good chance to build on work already begun and to review where we have been. We have a month of Changeovers and we have a month in which to finalise our projects for the year. So I say... Go on!! Hit the deck running and finish this year on a personal best.

I want to personally thank you all for your commitment and your service to the community and for making a difference this Rotary year!!I have been honoured to be your District Governor this year. Personally, I can surely attest that the journey has been a fulfilling and enjoyable experience, quite honestly it has been a blast. I have enjoyed every moment that I spent with Rotarians making that desired difference. I hope that I have served you, the members of this District 9200 in a way that has been helpful and I hope that I have added value to your plans. To those clubs I have not yet perhaps re‐visited it is my hope to do so in the coming Rotary year as an ordinary Rotarian seeking to build on friendships already made. The rich diversity of this District 9200 is quite something and I can only urge all Rotarians to keep these bonds and ties active as we forge ahead to our new dawn as D9211 and D9212 in the coming years.

My thanks also go to the District Management team, Presidents and thank them sincerely for all their support, especially the District Secretary, Nick Bore and District Treasurer, Gerald Nyuguto. They are a very talented group. I would particularly mention the work of our Assistant Governors who have worked tirelessly during this year to assist me and their clubs. The support of the Country Chairs has been overwhelming and outstanding and I am truly indebted to entire Country and District teams. I am particularly grateful for the support of my own club, the Rotary Club of Muthaiga. The club probably thinks that it didn't do very much but the club and its members were always there in the background and when it came to organising the conference the club was in the forefront.

And of course my very Special Thanks to the Newsletter team led by Rtn. Sam Bwaya for their patience and prompting to ensure that the DG's Newsletter has been of a high quality and published promptly.

Over the past one year I have always talked of celebrating our past... The past being our strong Rotary heritage; the past being the leadership that has brought D9200 thus far; the past being our success stories; the past being our growth of Rotary within D9200 – both in membership and club extension; the past being our friendships and our cumulative partnerships – both regionally and internationally; the past being the mark of significance we have stamped within the communities around us; and the past also being the shortcomings and challenges... All these universally encompass as our building blocks for the strong future and the new dawn.

We have a firm foundation and spring board to take on this future. Our structures and our systems are well engrained. But we need to harness and build on these very pillars! Looking ahead to the next Rotary year, I know that we will be ably led into unchartered territories as two new Districts – D9211 and D9212 by DGE Emmanuel Katangole and DGE Harry Mugo respectively. We are fortunate to have these two leaders to enhance and expand our service delivery to the community level just as much as we seek to expand our Rotary to the new generation to achieve our goals by Engaging Rotary and Changing Lives! There is also much yet to be accomplished. Increasing our Rotary membership continues to be a challenge. Growing our support and use of The Rotary Foundation is of concern since this is the engine that fuels so many good works in the world. Hundreds of thousands of our fellow citizens still do not have access to clean safe water, education or health care for the most basic of needs. We have much work to do within the two new districts!

As a final reflection, I ask each of you, "How will you serve through Rotary in the coming year? What need have you been called to answer? What skills do you have to contribute? What projects excite you to action?" Because of the diversity of our membership and the needs in the communities, there are places for all of us to use our unique talents. How will you stamp your mark in Rotary in the coming year?

And as a final note I would like to thank all members and partners for their friendship and support during this year. My Club visits provided for a welcome opportunity to meet Rotarians across the District, and experience their dedication for service first hand. All I can say is "Asante Sana", and "Mwebale Nyo Nyo" [Thank you] for your warm welcome and hospitality! I was equally delighted that I was able to visit many of you again throughout the year, to celebrate a special occasion or activity. I believe that I pass on our District to DGE(s) Emmanuel and Harry in good standing, with Clubs becoming stronger, membership growing, and new and exciting projects being developed. I hope that you have enjoyed this year in your Rotary service, as much as I have.

It has been a great honour and privilege to be your Governor in 2012 – 13, an experience that I will never forget. I know that our paths will continue to cross!

God bless you!

Yours in Rotary,

Geeta Manek