How time flies! Two years ago, I was excited and apprehensive of taking on the role of Director.
Two years later I tell you it is an unbelievable experience, especially having had the opportunity of serving two outstanding Rotary International Presidents: Ian Riseley and Barry Rassin.
Level-headed, personable everyday Rotarians eager for change with an admiration for our Rotary membership and engagement throughout the world in our Areas of Focus.
Two individuals who speak their mind and listen to you the members, if only we had more like them in our clubs.
I have been extremely fortunate: my term of office has coincided with a Council on Legislation.
Serving on the advisory committee for the last 12 months realising the amount of work started just under three years ago, receiving enactments, resolutions, advising, editing, combining, realising and explaining cultural differences culminating in the actual meeting.
To hear 538 delegates discussing, cajoling support, admitting defeat and then dining together in the evening.
As always enactment results can be – as expected, disillusioning, disappointing, narrow-minded – most of the 47 passed out of the 117 published were exciting and promising for the furtherance of our great organisation.
The most enlightening must be the admittance of Rotaract clubs to Rotary International membership.
Finally, recognition of Rotaract being an important member of the Rotary family, still with its own constitution but embracing members of Rotaract as our partners in service, not as Rotarians but partners.
I hope you will be one of the first to welcome their opinions and invite them onto all your district committees.
These young people are the lifeblood, make sure their transfusion into your Rotary is truly memorable and life changing.
I have been asked what now? Less emails! More gardening, finishing the pond, dog walking, getting the model railway set up for the grandchildren! Helping with Rotary Jaipur Limb, Donations Trust, Expo, REMIT, Rotary and Music philately, local Abbeyfield Trust, seeing the grandchildren and late at night playing my piano and other instruments solely to send the family to sleep!
At the end of the day thank you for the wonderful Opportunity to Serve.
