From the District Governor


The story so far.. and some words on membership


by Wes Armstrong District Governor A


s I put pen to paper, the weather is causing us all major problems and


indeed, I imagine club events over the festive season may well have had to be curtailed. I have been fortunate in being able to visit 69 clubs so far, I express my, thanks to all of you for the events you have organised to date and


the hospitality you extended to me. As we enter a new calendar year – the very year a hundred years ago when our forefathers planned the first Rotary “get together” resulting in the formation of the first Rotary club outside the North American continent, it is my pleasure and privilege to wish you all a Successful, Peaceful and Happy New Year.


I find it difficult to accept that we are halfway through the Rotary year 2010 – 2011. From my point of view, it has gone by like a flash. As I reflect back over my activities and particularly my official visits to all but five clubs so far, I am comforted by the fact that throughout our entire District there is a wave of enthusiasm and a determination to achieve ambitious goals. We are recognising the vital importance of addressing membership and know that we must make every effort to continue / start to recruit new quality members. More than ever before, in this year, when we celebrate 100 years of Rotary in Ireland (and indeed in Great Britain and Western Europe), we owe it to those who have gone before us, our forefathers, who invited us to join this great Organisation, to ensure that Rotary lives on for our children and our children children, long after we have gone, so that they can continue, as we have done, to set high ethical standards and to strive to bring peace and goodwill to this troubled world.


Increasing membership To enable us to raise the profile of Rotary in Ireland and hence increase and improve our membership we have embarked on a very professional promotional campaign orchestrated by the Marketing Department at RIBI. This is a primarily a Marketing Exercise and should not be regarded as “opening the doors” for all to join Rotary. It is important to recognise that this campaign is designed to create awareness of Rotary in the community... The rest is up individual clubs. We still must be selective about our membership and exercise the thorough selection procedure. • INVITE potential new members to attend one or more of your club meetings. • ENSURE that they meet all or as many club members as possible. • If all parties agree, PROCEED to invite the potential new member(s) to attend a formal Information meeting where they are fully briefed on ALL aspects, including commitment, cost, and obligations.


From the editor


It was with some trepidation that I accepted the position of Honorary Editor of COGS especially following twenty‑two successful years under the stewardship of Jack Cunningham. On behalf of us all, I thank Jack for his contribution to Rotary in Ireland and look forward to him becoming District Governor in the Rotary year 2010 – 2013. As you all know in this time of austerity we all have to be even more mindful of the costs associated with Rotary, one of our challenges has been to significantly reduce the cost of producing COGS.


I have to thank Rotarian Gavin Walker (Bangor) and his team from The Word Works


Partnership for giving us the opportunity to produce COGS for just £0.50 (€0.60) per Rotarian for the remainder of this Rotary year. Thereafter there will be no cost to Rotary in Ireland!


Of course, there is no such thing as a “free


lunch”, advertisers have and will be sought to defray the costs and I ask you to support Gavin and his team by placing advertising for your businesses and by making use of the “COGS Marketplace” please make all advertising enquiries directly to gavin@cogsmagazine.com I hope you enjoy reading this and future editions of COGS and welcome any comments you may have.


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Editorial and Advertising deadline The deadline for the next edition is Friday April 1 2011 please send your contributions by email to gavin@cogsmagazine.com and copy to communications@rotary.ie


Phillip Beggs, Honorary Editor


• If willing to proceed the potential new member must then be FORMALLY PROPOSED by an active club member. • NOTIFY all club members of the proposal in writing (7‑day letter). • DISCUSS the outcome at Club Council. • If acceptable to Council, ADVISE the club members of the induction date.


• INDUCT the new members in a formal induction ceremony; • WELCOME him or her into the club, and most importantly • APPOINT A MENTOR to ensure that the new member grows into a true Rotarian.


As I reflect on our activities over the past six month, I remember with excitement and pleasure our fabulous Conference in the Slieve Russell Hotel Co, Cavan. After a slow start, I was delighted to welcome so many delegates. The highlight of the weekend was the pro Rotary speech by President Mary McAleese. It is still foremost in my mind and will remain on our website indefinitely.


We also welcomed to our District a visiting GSE Team from British Columbia (Canada) and Washington State (USA). We enjoyed their company at Conference and I thank all participating Clubs who made their visit a notable one.


I congratulate Dublin Viking and thank them for inviting me to attend their 30th Anniversary celebrations. Newbridge also recently celebrated their 20th Anniversary. Unfortunately, due to a meeting at RIBI I was unable to join them.


Looking towards Dublin We all look forward to celebrating with Dublin “100 Years of Rotary in


Ireland” in February 2011 and of course attending the RIBI Conference (15th – 17th April 2011) which is being held in Dublin in honour of 100 years of Rotary in Ireland.


As we start the new calendar year after re‑charging our batteries (and possibly our glasses) over the festive season, I would remind all Presidents that now is the time to concentrate on qualifying for the prestigious award – The Presidential Citation. The paperwork must be completed and with me by 31st March 2011. It would be a wonderful achievement and a personal goal if we had 100% qualification for this award in our centenary year. I thank all the clubs who participated in “Focus on the Crocus”, designed to create awareness of Rotary and the “Thanks for Life ‑ End Polio Now” campaign. In Ireland, we have planted 415,000 bulbs (85,000 more than any other District in RIBI). The Emerald Isle will be the Purple Isle in celebration of Rotary Day 23rd February 2011.


Finally Finally, as our theme for this year simply asks, continue to work in your community and contribute to International projects of your choice, with a special emphasis on the Thanks for Life – End Polio Now Campaign


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