This point at the end of our Rotary year gives us a chance to complete personal, club and district goals that may need just a little final push! Clubs are completing and recording their success in achieving their goals and I’m sure we’ll again have a splendid roster of clubs receiving the international Rotary Citation. The Citation recognizes the achievements of our clubs, engagement of our members, relevance to our communities and our welcoming style as part of the culture of Rotary. Our District has a relatively high level of Rotary Citations received in recent years.
Our District’s Foundation giving has been generous again this year, and I know we still have some folks who will donate before year end. One area where we have lagged a little, however, is Polio Plus.
Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation have recently reminded us that the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation matches our contributions two to one, but we need to raise $50 million to get the full match. We aren’t there yet, and our District has always come through with some great donors, both individuals and clubs. While there are only a very few wild polio cases in the world to date this year, we can’t back off at all if we want to achieve the eradication goal that is so close.
Even as we enjoy completing our achievements this year, we are well into preparing for our next Rotary year. It is Club and District installation season, and our new leadership teams have been preparing the groundwork for a wonderful 2023–24.
Our rich tradition of change and renewal every year is in great hands. As we’ve enjoyed having our first female Rotary International President, and proud Canadian, Jennifer Jones inspire us with her “Imagine Rotary” theme, now we look forward to “Create Hope in the World”, the theme of our new International President, Gordon McInally.
We have been asked by our Rotary International Director, Drew Kessler, to draw your attention to the “Life on Land” Zone Symposium in Alaska August 31 to September 3. A broadcast email was sent recently from Drew, his message is included in this June issue of the member bulletin, and the event logo with a link is displayed on our District website. Flights are available from Vancouver at relatively modest cost, and their negotiated hotel rate is good only until June 30. The focus is environment, and fun, fellowship and great speakers are always hallmarks of these gatherings.
As we come to the end of another Rotary year full of achievement, fun and fellowship, Pat and I would like to extend our everlasting gratitude for the opportunity District has extended to us this year. The connections to people we’ve made or renewed this year, and in our previous Governor preparation years, have been amazing. We’ve also enjoyed working with Rotarians in our District and beyond, and learning about their many accomplishments: many friends and partners of Rotary whose combined efforts help us accomplish so much to make a better world.
Thank you and all the best for 2023-24!
John
John Berry
District 5040 Governor