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 The first six months of my session of being District Governor seem to have flown by with two District Council Meetings and two General Council Meetings as well as visits to over 35 Clubs.
The last General Council Meeting at Alcester was a very interesting one because the results of the Quinquennial Review as well as the 2020 Vision Group report were considered. All pretty heavy stuff – but it was good to hear so much sense being talked about the future of Rotary in GB & I. This has resulted in a number of changes being proposed to the way RIBI is run. Broadly, the impact on Clubs will be minimal but from an organisation perspective the changes are significant and will bring RIBI into line with the way RI is organised. A presentation is to be circulated to Clubs early in the New Year which will detail the changes being considered by General Council. However, a summary can be seen by visiting the RIBI website at http://www.ribi.org/resources/reorganisation-of-ribi. The page can simply be found by clicking on Resource Downloads on the left hand side of the RIBI Home page.
If these changes are approved by the majority of Districts, then they will be firmed up into some detailed proposals to go the Business session at the RIBI Conference in April. The crux of the changes is that the Executive and General Council are abolished and replaced by a Management Board and District Governor Forum. Further, the RIBI President is released form a number of administration responsibilities to concentrate on improving the public image of Rotary in GB&I as well as spending more time in Districts and with Clubs.
The make-up of the Management Board is still being discussed but will have representation from the incumbent District Governors and/or past District Governors as well as suitable qualified members proposed by District Councils. As a member of the RIBI Constitutions Committee these proposed changes have certainly meant that this Committee has been ‘burning the midnight oil’ but all of the changes are achievable and will mean that the whole administration of RIBI will be bought up to date.
Plans for my Conference are well advanced with a great programme lined up. Eve Pollard, the highly respected national newspaper and magazine editor, is our Keynote Speaker. For this Conference there will also be a choice of interactive Breakout Sessions on topical Rotary issues. Members of the Conference Committee would welcome an opportunity to visit your Club and tell you more about the Conference that ‘Recharge Your Rotary’.
Please contact Nigel Millway on
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to fix up a visit date. The Torquay Riviera Centre is a fantastic place for a Rotary Conference with a great location in south Devon for experiencing a superb long weekend.
Most Clubs that I have visited during December have been involved in some sort of Christmas collection – either with a float or statically with Father Christmas featuring in some way. I was involved in helping to build my own Club’s Santa float last weekend (10th December) and accompanied it on the first outing on Tuesday 13th.
I have also been very fortunate to attend three Christmas events with my wife. Firstly, to Stevenage Old Town to a Christmas Concert and Tree Festival organised by the Stevenage Club and members of the Holy Trinity Church. This featured the well-known Pasque Harmony Choir.
On Saturday 10th - thanks to President Tony Pringle and members of the Winslow Club we visited the Festival of Voices at St Laurence Church in Winslow to hear the Llanelli Male Voice Choir sing to a packed Church. This event was so well attended that next year they are considering holding two sessions!
Wednesday 14th saw Ann and I attending the Lea Valley Zone’s Christmas Service of Readings, Music and Carols at Haileybury Chapel. The Lea Valley Clubs had decided that the retiring collection would be in aid of my chosen charity – Diabetes UK. The Regional Manager from Diabetes UK – Rosalyn Luckman - was also able to attend and I am delighted to report that a cheque for £600 was presented By Jill Geall – President of Hertford Club on behalf of the 5 Rotary Clubs in Lea Valley Zone together with the Inner Wheel members. I am aware that several other Clubs are hoping to raise money for Diabetes UK and that some already have – please send the donations to the following address for the attention of Rosalyn Luckman, Regional Fundraising Manager – Macleod House, 10 Parkway, London NW1 7AA -
stating that the funds have been raised by Rotary District 1260. It would also be helpful if you could advise me that you have taken this action. Any cheques that have been passed to me have been sent on to the charity.
Just as I was finishing this newsletter article I received an email from Peter Collins of Luton Club with news of PDG Frank Hamel. Following his recent illness, Frank has decided to live with his son, David and daughter-in-law Sue, at 84 Cappell Lane, Stanstead Abbots, Herts, SG12 8BY. He wishes to thank all his friends in District that have supported him during his time in Rotary and especially over the last few months. He is going to retain his email address of
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and would be delighted to hear from people.
Finally, may I take this opportunity on behalf of Ann and myself of wishing every single one of you a fantastic Christmas break and that the New Year brings you all that you have wished for.
Best wishes,
John
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"One of the most wonderful things about Rotary is that it allows you to be part of something so much larger than yourself."
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to the Rotary Foundation online at the RIBI website.
