We learnt this month that Rotarians can’t do everything – in this case we learnt we can’t change the weather.  Our District Conference attendees made their way in a fog but it cleared and the conference was underway.  The sun soon appeared and the Fairmont Resort lived up to its’ promise as a great venue.  My thanks to the presenters, the organising team led by Liz North and to our army of helpers that made the event a great success.  Thanks also to each of you that attended.  I hope each of you have taken away an insight or idea that you can now act on the continue to Make A Difference.

I was heartened by one report I read in a club bulletin – I wish I could copy the whole report but here is just a couple of quotes (thanks Mary):

“Stimulating, inspirational, motivating and thoroughly enjoyable it was but more than anything it made me so enormously proud to be part of this amazing movement called Rotary.”

“I can’t remember who said it but somebody said that they now offer, offer and offer the gift of becoming a Rotarian to as many people as possible because being a member of Rotary is one of the greatest gifts life has to offer.”

This is the passion we want in all Rotarians.  When we share Rotary with passion we attract like-minded people.

The following weekend a number of us attended Ian Riseley’s Peace Conference.  Inspirational speakers and a diverse audience so the conversations in the breaks were as valuable as the sessions.  For me it reinforced the power of one person, what one person can achieve with belief and passion.  It challenged me to think differently about our own society. It is easy to see the impact we have when we provide aid into underdeveloped countries.  It is harder to recognise the same opportunities within our own communities but they exist.  Then from Peace Conference to 50 Years of Rotaract celebration - again another perspective of what people in our community have done and continue to do to build a better world.

And the following weekend started with a community activity with my own club (a good reminder of what Rotary is really about – service and fellowship) and ended with the “launch” of the Blackheath Rocket.  It was great to see families and friends arrive for the formalities of cutting the ribbon, and then staying to play and enjoy a picnic in the park.  I loved hearing the stories being shared, older people remembering their time playing on the original rocket and now sharing that with a new generation.  I believe one of the most valuable things we do is connecting people in our communities.  I’ve been told this week by a number of mayors and counsellors that Rotary is the only organisation providing public infrastructure these days – in parks, community gardens, etc.  We have much to be proud of.

My closing thought is a question – do you get to see the monthly Rotary On The Move newsletters?  I recommend you read the March 2018 newsletter.  Please click HERE to view.