Photo: Tracey Lohman with her father DG Larry Lohman
Welcome Fellow Rotarians to this “Serve to Change Lives” Rotary year! Take a moment and reflect on the past year. This past year was a different year for all of us. We all had to find ways to navigate through the pandemic, and we did. Under the leadership of District Governor Pat Meyers our clubs and Rotarians continued to find ways to meet and to serve their communities. Our district never let up, we were there when we were most needed. This past year was filled with the loss of friends, cancelation of in-person gatherings, and many mandates that affected our daily lives. But, there were also positives; we learned how to use virtual platforms to our advantage, we continued to perform service projects, we thought outside the box on our fundraisers, and most impressively we continued to bring in new members. Unfortunately, we are not out of the woods in concerns to the COVID-19 pandemic, but we do know that the pandemic will not hinder our GREAT Rotarians!
I have been asked what my plan is to top the great service that our district clubs performed through the pandemic. My answer is always the same. Rotary is not about competing against the results of a previous year, it is about taking what you have learned and continuing to better it. This past year you have had the chance to hear Jenny Stotts speak at Presidents Elect Training, All Ohio Pets and The Rotary International Virtual Conference. One message she gives in all her talks is that change is a negative concept, and instead of changing we should Stretch. Stretching is taking what you are already doing and bringing some new ideas and practices in support of it. We did a great job of stretching this past year to accommodate the pandemic, and this year we need to keep stretching.
As with all District Governors I have a couple of key focuses for this year. The First Focus revolves around Public Image and our Clubs. For the past three years we have been focusing on Membership. We have held training programs at the Tri-District Membership Assembly, District Conference, Presidents Elect Trainings, and District Leadership Assembly. All of these were great sessions, but I feel there is still one key component missing, and that is our Public Image. Somewhere through the years we have forgotten how to tell our stories to our communities. I personally know when I am out in my community, and talking about Rotary, I would like to get a response when I mention Rotary, of “You are talking about the organization that helped the schools, the local Developmental Disabilities organization or brought fresh water to villages in Central America”. Without telling our stories the responses we get are a dumfounded look, or that lunch club, etc. I believe it will be easier to bring in new interested members if our story is known in our communities.
The Second Focus is based around our youth. After a conversation with District Interact Chair Chelsea Talty, we decided to create a youth alumni program. This program will help our district stay in touch with our youth after they have graduated from high school. This program will also benefit our youth prior to their graduation as we will be able to help get them in contact with Rotaract/Rotary Clubs as they prepare to move on. We will be assembling a committee to work with Chelsea to develop this program.
There are many opportunities to serve. Your clubs are the most important opportunity you have, but the District has many committees that are working to better our clubs and the experiences of our Rotarians. Please take a minute to talk with me, our Past District Governors and members of our district committees about opportunities to join our district team. All of our contacts can be found in the E-directory (click here) and on the District website at rotarydistrict6630.org.
Remember “Serve to Change Lives”!
Yours in Rotary Service,
