Message from DG David Gardner (Jul 05, 2017)

This past year Rotary made great strides under the leadership of Immediate Past District Governor Sheryl Meehan, as we fulfilled the 2016-17 theme: Rotary Serving Humanity. In her official visits, Sheryl highlighted the great works that our clubs accomplish in improving lives in their communities and around the world. Building on the work of Past District Governors, she fostered the commitment of district leadership to serve our clubs and all our members.

It is my hope to enhance our ability to support the clubs and continue the tradition of Rotary: Making a Difference. This is an ongoing legacy and our challenge is to grow membership, not for numbers sake, but to expand what we can accomplish and make the world a better place.

Think back to when you were first asked to attend a meeting. Were you surprised that you knew one or more members but did not know they were a Rotarian? Were you made to feel part of something bigger? Did you meet other individuals who engaged you? If we each asked a friend to attend two events with the intent of just providing an opportunity for them to experience Rotary, they would discover an organization and a group of Rotarians with whom they would want to serve alongside. They would find value even before being asked to join. Ask them to a Rotary meeting with a personally relevant guest speaker, a fellowship event, a fundraiser, or a service project. Now, imagine doing this two, three, or more times. How much more could we do together?

Consider your family and friends, your coworkers and colleagues, your mentors and mentees, your customers and vendors, those you worship with weekly, and other community leaders. Look through your address book, your Facebook and LinkedIn network, and especially those you interact with throughout the week. Invite them, with no expectation to join, and let the rest happen naturally. If their experience is positive, they enjoy those they meet, feel purposeful, and want to make a difference, they will probably ask how they can get more involved. With so many membership options, such as Satellite Clubs with alternate meeting times, Service Memberships with reduced meeting requirements, Family or Corporate Memberships with shared cost, or even the ability to be a Friend of your club and pay as they go. All these new opportunities create a bigger team to accomplish even more than we do today.

My commitment is to personally introduce ten of my contacts to individual clubs throughout the district and encourage them to join our family. My first introduction was Carol Flaherty, the site coordinator for the McLane Middleton facility where the district holds many events including Rotary Means Business and District Cabinet meetings. On Friday, June 23rd, we both attended the Rotary Club of Andover’s Installation Ceremony and those members made her feel right at home. I believe that Carol will be a member before the end of July which will help her build powerful relationships in her new hometown of Andover.

Can I ask each of you to do the same? If we introduce our service-minded friends to Rotary, we all win.

Thank you, and I hope that the year ahead is one of happiness, health, and impactful service to others!