DG Message for September 2012
Glancing over the past two months, there is so much that I am thankful for. First of all, hosting the RI president for 10 days in our District was such a distinctive honour. I was most humbled by the tireless effort of the Country Officers and Clubs in meticulously planning and organising for the tour .Thank you very much; you have all made our District both very proud and more visible on the map of Rotary.
Secondly, I have so far had two months in office and what words can I use to describe the experience? Exhilarating? Thrilling? Humbling? I really do not have appropriate words to describe the warmth and overwhelming generosity with which I have been received on all my club visits. I have been filled with so much joy and pride as I have witnessed what clubs are doing in the communities and in the district. I am both deeply honoured and humbled to serve as your Governor.
I would now like to turn my focus to the RI theme for September; the New Generations Avenue of Service. Just as the youth in any community or nation are the foundation for its future, so is the New Generation to Rotary. The New Generation embodies our hopes, aspirations and dreams. Over this month our activities and programmes should reflect the growing importance of the New Generation Avenue of Service to Rotary. As Clubs and as individuals, let us reach out to nurture, mould and mentor our successors that we may truly rest assured that our future is in good hands.
Over the New Generation month there are a myriad of channels to direct our efforts and we would only be limited by our imaginations. Across the breadth of Youth Exchange, Interact, Rotaract and RYLA there is so much we could do to build capacity among the youth, groom them for leadership and for greater things to aim for in life. In this Year's theme Logo you will notice doves. Doves symbolise peace and where there is peace there is hope. It is my sincere hope that as Rotarians we shall continue to cultivate "Peace through Service" so that we continue to send out doves of peace to spread hope to the youths about the future they should strive for.
In my club visits and discussions with Rotary leaders, I have been impressed with the relationship between Rotary and the New Generation. There is commitment, cohesion and a genuine desire to give the youths a platform from which they can excel. Our district is constantly expanding its involvement with the Interact, Rotaract, RCCs, within RYLA, and amongst other great youth-based organizations that shape young people's lives.
I am moved by your support of children with disabilities, efforts in literacy, projects for health and sanitation, and sponsoring of children to take part in leadership development programs. I see that as Rotarians of D9200, you move mountains and still have the desire to ask, "But what more can we do?"
The leaders on our District's New Generations team have asked the same question and have hit the ground running. I believe our District is fortunate to have Rtn. Francis Xavier Sentamu, leading the New Generation District team with passion, creativity, and a vision for ethical leadership development in youth. DRR Enock Kiyemba Mukasa and the Rotaract leadership are not only expanding the number of clubs in both Rotaract and Interact but have plans for District-wide projects that will make a significant difference in our communities across the District. Across Uganda, Ethiopia and Kenya, I have met groups of Rotaractors and Interactors who are committed to service and to Rotary. I look forward to meeting many more this month. It is because of such dedication that I have set aside a special category of awards for New Generation this Rotary Year.
You will note that, since RI has now lowered the age for Interact to include ages 12 and 13, it only means that this provides us, as Rotarians, a greater impetuous to reach out even further, and to extend Interact base to those in middle-ages within our secondary schools. I urge you to seize this opportunity and encourage the creation of Interact Clubs in our neighbourhood and community high schools. Kids in this age group are receptive and can also understand and appreciate the message of the 4-Way Test and value of community service.
Last, but certainly not least, I'd like thank all of those who pledged towards the contributing to the Rotary Foundation, during the RI President's whistle-stop tour of D9200. Congratulations on your extraordinary effort and accomplishment!
I am so proud to be a Rotarian in this District and am inspired daily by all that we are doing and all that we are capable of. This month especially, let's continue to spread the message of Peace through Service by starting at the beginning: Our Youth!
My dear Rotarians, I have no doubt at all that we can, we must and we certainly will.
Yours in Rotary
Geeta Manek