From the District Governor


District Governor Wes bids farewell!


by Wes Armstrong District Governor W


hen I took up the office of District Governor, I tried to


have every member of Rotary in District 1160 on board, as we moved into the 2nd century of Rotary on this Island. I believe that has been the case. I recognise that it is not always possible to please everyone, all the time, and sometimes decisions have to


be taken which do not suit everyone, but I have, throughout the year, tried to make all my decisions in the best interest of Rotary. I promised to lead to the best of my ability, and put Rotary first in my activities through the year. This I did. Whether it was sufficient, only you can be the judge.


We are a non‑political organisation, and I have ensured that internal politics did not play any part in my year as District Governor. We are a voluntary organisation, totally transparent, and we should operate in harmony. We have discussed, as expected, many contentious items at Executive, and reached agreement, in every case, without ever having to take a vote. I thank my Executive, for adapting a harmonious and open‑ minded approach and thank them for their sound advice. Our recommendations to District Council were clearly put and in every case, were passed unanimously, with one exception when one person voted against the recommendation.


I likened the year to a journey along a road, which I recognised would not always be smooth, straight, and well lit but rather would have bends, potholes and pit falls. Fortunately, for the most part, the former was the case. I recall that there were a few “Roundabouts” which I had to circumnavigate more than once to get my bearings but in the end, I exited and moved on. I know that our Membership has taken a turn for the better and with the formation of a new club in Ballycastle and some Clubs increasing their membership by upwards of 25% we will show a net gain for the first time in 5 years. Thank you Garth and all your Membership Team. Internationally, the five projects I promoted during my Club visits have been supported well, and, these, together with individual Club Projects add up to a very successful year ‑ Thank you Sean.


I think that our Foundation figures for Annual Program Fund and $200million challenge for End Polio Now Campaign, with the strong team that has been working on it, must be up there in the success zone ‑only time will tell. We had a very successful Group Study Exchange with British Columbia and Washington State and supported Matching Grants to the tune of US$18,683, and allocated US$ 33,500 for District Designated Grants. Thank you Caroline, I wish you well in your temporary Rotary retirement and your immediate new role in motherhood.


Communications have never been better within our District and indeed, I


“Out with the old – in with the New” is the Rotary way at this time of year. It is a time to reflect on what we have all achieved during 2010 – 2011, and to plan our Club activities and projects for the incoming year. The 1st July sees the culmination of District Governor Wesʼs year and you can read his reflections and thoughts as he hands over the reins to Barney Callaghan, District Governor 2011 – 2012. DG Barney has ambitious plans for his year in office as you can read in his article.


Our theme for 2011 – 2012 is “Reach Within to Embrace Humanity” and I quote incoming Rotary International President Kalyan Banerjee who says, “I ask you to look within yourselves,


know that we are the model District within RIBI. Our District Directory and Cogs have been produced and delivered on time and within budget, shown great savings on previous years ‑ Thank you Phillip. I am sure you wonʼt mind me including our colleague Andy Cameron in this very sincere thank you. I wish you well in your retirement from this Service Chair. Rotaract within RIBI has been given a new lease of life and has been highlighted in many Clubs within our District. As it develops, within New Generations, Iʼm sure it will move from strength to strength. Thank you ‑ Trudy for heading up Rotaract Development in the past year. The Rotary Christmas Tree Memorial Project gained tremendous momentum this year. Since itʼs inception by the Rotary Club of Waterford thirteen years ago over €1,000,000 has been raised. This is just one of many projects, which must be credited to Community and Vocational Services. Youth Opportunities, under the leadership of Jenny McCrea, has had a wonderful year... We had a very successful, non‑contentious trip to Strasburg at a budget of less than 50% of the average of the previous two years. Young Musician, Young Writer, Young Photographer, and Young Chef were all competed for successfully throughout District and I am delighted that such attention to Youth Development can be addressed at very nominal expense. Thank you ‑ Jenny and your supportive Team. Speaking of BUDGETS...It was very clear from the outset that serious attention had to be given to the running costs of Rotary within this District. In addressing this, I presented a budget to the January District Council meeting, which shows a cost saving swing from a projected deficit of £ 36,000 to what I project will be almost a break‑even figure. Constant monitoring indicates that we are operating within budget... We are a cost conscious bunch!


I cannot move on without highlighting the tremendous contribution and help that I have received from Tony Mc Minn. Tony, officially District Trainer, has worked tirelessly with me for over 2 years now, not only in the very responsible job as District Trainer but he has also been the driving force behind the newly formed Club in Ballycastle, consisting of 29 members. He has been my mentor, my colleague, and my advisor.


Equally so, I must give centre stage to my other right hand man, District Secretary Raymond Robinson. Raymondʼs help and support has been outstanding ... away beyond the call of duty ... nothing, regardless of time or effort has been too much trouble. Raymondʼs middle name is “no problem.” In this, our Centenary Year, District 1160, has put Rotary on the TOP of the WORLD. Gavin Bate, a member of my own Club in Coleraine, climbed Mount Everest and placed a Rotary flag on the top of on the 20th May 2011. This is a first ever achievement and a wonderful way to commemorate our 100 years of Rotary in Ireland. He was accompanied to Base Camp 1 by Peter Jack, President of Rotary Club of Limavady. Thank you boys for risking life and limb, we are so proud of this great achievement. Throughout my year, as I travelled around District, I saw out there, a great number of Rotarians who love doing what they are doing


Rotary is healthy in Ireland. Long may it continue? From the editor - Welcome to the June 2011 issue of COGS


to understand that all of humanity has the same dreams, similar hopes, the same aspirations, and similar problems. Whoever we are and wherever we live, each of us yearns for the same peace and contentment and for the same fulfilment in our daily lives. What we work to bring to others, we must first find within ourselves because what we wish for ourselves is what others wish for themselves as well” It has been a challenge to include all the articles from Clubs, and create a balanced and interesting magazine ‑ I hope you feel we have succeeded. If your article has not appeared please accept our apologies, but, donʼt be dismayed, keep sending us your stories and photographs and we will use them where


3 space permits


I would again like to thank those of you who made the decision to support COGS with advertising or indeed persuaded friends and/or business colleagues to advertise.


Please continue to support the development of your District magazine until such times as we reach a point where we welcome, but no longer depend on your support.


The deadline for the September 2011 edition of COGS is August 26 2011; please send your contributions by email to gavin@cogsmagazine.com and copy to cogs.rotary@gmail.com (please note change of email address).


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