By the time you read this article, our District will have almost completed its Centenary year, quite an achievement. Two of our Clubs, Cardiff and Llanelli turned-on the style with well represented banquet celebrations. The challenge for the future will be to ensure Rotary in Southern Wales will celebrate the second Centenary, with the certain knowledge that none of us will be around to witness the event. Survival and sustainability will be key factors for many Clubs, however we need to recognise our current and past impact within our local communities, and consider judging the effect of loss should Rotary’s presence have disappeared for whatever reason. We do make a difference, so please review your approach to encourage and invite younger people - yes - even Rotaractors as members to your Club.
Rotary 2 is already underway and is beginning to show positive results within our District. As a District, we were challenged to recognise 8 different locations for a new Club
District Governor Elect, Clive Edwards and wife Gill
There was a definite Welsh theme to the RIBI National Conference in Torquay in March, in celebration of the Centenary of Cardiff and Llanelli clubs. Bridgend Male Voice Choir and Phil Bennett gave sterling performances and the District picked up several awards. As Editor, I am more used to writing about other people’s awards, so it was a great honour to receive the award for Best Magazine in RIBI. This is a testament to the correspond- ents in the clubs who diligently send in their news. It’s an interesting barometer of the strength of clubs, because it stands to reason that if clubs are busy, and doing things in their community, it naturally follows they let others know about it. Having too much material from some clubs is a good problem to have but please forgive any cropping of your efforts. Full story and pictures of awards at National Conference on pages 3-6. Spokesman is the ideal advertising media to reach like-minded people throughout the region at nominal cost. Sponsorship and advertising contributions would go a long way to supporting Spokesman. Please contact editor for details.
Submissions to Spokesman.
Grateful for your club articles, letters, photographs and members adverts. We reserve the right to edit. Published articles do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editor, nor does the Editor take responsibility for errors of fact by writers. Text: Word document attached to email. Please no Excel, Powerpoint, hand-written articles, printed hard copy or links to Facebook. Club newsletters will be read with interest but anything for favour of publication in Spokesman should be sent in the format above. Please don’t embed pictures in Word as the resolution is reduced and often unusable.
Images. Preferably full size JPEG. Ideally hi-res image straight from camera.
Thanks for sending in newsletters, particularly as I find myself as the judge of club newsletters at Conference. But don’t make the mistake of thinking that by sending a newsletter that means you don’t have to send separate stories. If I can get into pictures embedded in newsletters, invariably the resolution is far too low for print use, and you are also gambling on the human frailty of this one-man band to read every one that is sent to me. Cover picture: a delightful image from father Ashok of 5 years old Katya Ganesh, with her bear Patapon, wearing the Beat Polio Now jumper her grandad Ganesh of Merthyr Club gave her. Editor: Rtn Doug McArthur
dougmca@rocketmail.com
Copy deadline for next issue: 28th September, 2018. 2
during 2017-18 and a further four for 2018-19 – a total of twelve. All Rotarians are encouraged to enhance and embrace the modern approach being introduced by RIBI, progress will be closely watched by other Rotary regions of the world such as Japan and particularly Australia.
On the home front, structure changes were introduced by RIBI in 2017 and I have implemented these for the next Rotary year. The objective is for our movement to become more streamlined, cost effective and fit for purpose. In recent years, our DG Maggie has made all of us aware of Dementia Friendly Communities and encouraged us to become Dementia Friends plus supporting Rotarians’ decision to fundraise for the Tenovus “Closer to Home” appeal. I pledge my support to continue promoting both projects. One project I wish promote is the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme – a good leveller for aspiring youngsters from various backgrounds within our District. Our efforts to help these youngsters could be Rotary’s gain in years ahead. On Friday, 7th September a joint Charity Golf Tournament will be held at the Cradoc Golf Course Brecon – please support either by entering a team, and/ or donation/sponsorship. To achieve our objectives I will require the support of many, including Club members and the District Team. We need to be an inclusive District, together we will succeed. The RI theme for the next Rotary year is “BE THE INSPIRATION” and that affects
us all. In-coming RI President, Barry Rassin is quite optimistic that our standing - as a very well-respected service organisation - will continue to attract individuals who are prepared in whatever chosen avenue to assist those who are considered less fortunate. By the way, three vital priorities are to be observed: 1. Membership; 2. Polio Eradication and Humanitarian projects at home and abroad; 3 Enhance Public Image and Awareness. Rotary’s Vision Statement “Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change - across the globe, in our communities and in ourselves”. For those who are taking office at either Club, District, RIBI or RI, I wish you every success for an eventful year. To conclude, it was an honour to be elected your District Governor for 2018-19 and, I look forward to leading and supporting all Clubs during the coming year and trust we will enjoy a year of friendship and fun. Two such events will the Handover on 1st of July at the Best Western Aberavon Beach Hotel, Aberavon, and the second will be the District Conference in Plymouth 12-14 October. It will be for others to see we are People of Action to BE THE INSPIRATION.
BE THE INSPIRATION
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