The Rotary Governor

July 1st 2009. The day has arrived. A year of preparation and training has flown by and this evening I was installed as the District Governor for Rotary International District 1290, here in the far South West of the UK. Alan Jones has done his job well and now its up to me!
The 2008/09-year started smoothly and happily with a lot of activity and fellowship but October saw the sudden and sad death of the Immediate Past District Governor, Kevin Farleigh, and a funeral in a packed church in Brixton. This had a dulling effect on moods and sentiments and it took some weeks for us all to come to terms with it.
Rotary International (RI) and Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland (RIBI), between them, certainly put a great deal of effort into preparing their District Governors to successfully fulfil their roles. In September 2008 I had to travel to Brussels for a four-day training seminar, organised by RI, where all 29 incoming Governors from Britain and Ireland met with others from all over Europe. Under the leadership of senior Rotarian trainers from around the world we explored the tasks and duties that we would assume when we took office. We came away from there with a clear picture of what was expected of us, and some good procedures in place to make it easier to achieve.
Later, in November, the 29 of us from RIBI were called to a long-weekend Seminar in Solihull, where we given further training and opportunity to develop our skills and knowledge. Needless to say, we were getting to know each other very well by this time and true Rotary fellowship played a valuable part in the proceedings.
In January we were all together yet again when we travelled over to San Diego, California for an eight-day RI Assembly, which was attended by over 500 incoming District Governors from more than 200 countries around the world. It was lovely to be able to meet and talk to such a wide selection of people from all ethnic backgrounds, but all sharing one common passion – Rotary – and what Rotary can do to improve the lives of others wherever they may have needs around the world. It was a humbling and rewarding experience, one that will live with me for the rest of my life.
Two things occurred, during that week, that stick in my mind so vividly. Firstly, sight of all the RIBI incoming DG’s and their spouses filling the stage in the main hall, entertaining the international gathering with three minutes of energetic and enthusiastic Morris Dancing and Maypole Dancing. And – wasn’t it well received! You may have seen it on the internet!
During the past twelve months I have tried to visit as many of the 41 clubs in our district. I know that I didn’t manage to get to every one but they all know that I will, without fail, attend a club meeting during the coming three months.
The District Handover was held at The Lake View Country Club at Lanivet, near Bodmin and was attended by representatives of many of the clubs in our District. Alan Jones passed over the DG’s chain of office and, as I said before, it’s now up to me! I know that much will be expected of me and the team of District Officers during 2009/10 and all I can promise is that I will do my best to live up to expectations. If I fail, it won’t be from a lack of trying.