Happy Holidays! For me the Holidays are a time to get together with friends and family and to reflect on everything that has happened in the past year.
2019 has been a whirlwind for me starting with International Assembly last January, then the International Convention in Hamburg in June, the start of my year as your District Governor on July 1, making visits to all of the clubs in the District and now reflecting on what we have accomplished and what we still need to do.
Membership Growth is our primary goal this year and I’m pleased to let you know membership in the District is at 1,919 members up 44 net new members for the 5 months ended November 30, 2019. If we maintain this pace, we would end the year at 1,981 members or a growth rate of 6%. Thank you for making membership a priority and let’s continue to grow our clubs and do more good in our communities and around the world. Do you think we could break the 2000 mark again? With your help we will.
As you know November was Foundation month and Rotarians in the District have contributed $76,084 to the Foundation or 45.8% of our goal for the year. Thank you to everyone who has helped make the Rotary Foundation one of the soundest, most well run Foundations in the World. Where else can know that 98% of every dollar you contribute goes towards service projects and your money comes back to the District to help fund our District and Global grants after 3 years. It is an amazing formula that only Rotary has. There’s still time to make that tax-deductible year-end contribution.
The holidays are a very busy time for Rotarians helping with coat drives, toy drives, stuff the cruiser events, ringing bells for the Salvation Army, providing meals to the needy, recognizing our veterans and first responders and helping to replenish food pantries through “Souper Bowl” food drive events just to name a few.
Thanks goes out to each Rotarian who volunteers their time, talent and treasure making this holiday season better for those in need.
We are fortunate to live in relative peace and prosperity in our District. I am proud to be a Rotarian and to. in some small way. contribute to making our communities and the world a better place for all humanity through Rotary. Have a wonderful holiday season and God Bless.
Yours in Rotary
Mick