HEADS UP
WITH JANICE HUGHES DISTRICT GOVERNOR
2017 ’ s set to be cracker
One of the great perks of my district governor role is being able to keep my finger well-andtruly on the pulse of Rotary happenings in our region .
Just now , having read all of the content that makes up this , our second edition of In Gear , before we hit ‘ publish ’ I , sincerely , could not be more proud . I challenge anyone – Rotarian or not – to get to the end of this issue and not be , firstly , impressed and , secondly , in many instances , deeply , deeply moved .
I imagine all of you , my fellow 9980ers , are about to experience the same warm esprit de corps I ’ m feeling as you see our fine district – and just a few of the incredible Rotarians who make up our number – reflected back to you . Some of these stories are not “ easy reads ” – in part , they are raw , at times harrowing and , at others , pure inspiration . What they are is real . Very real . These are our people .
If you do nothing else for Rotary this Christmas , can I ask but one kindness of you ? As you read through , if there are stories or snippets that particularly impress you , uplift you , move you , encourage you , enrich you , challenge you , interest you … would you please take a moment to send a quick message to the person who ’ s inspired those feelings ? It might be an email , it might be via a Facebook post – heck , it might even be a handwritten note sent through their club . The Rotarians in these pages have shared more than words ; they have left us with true gifts . Let ’ s honour and acknowledge them .
I have just finished the last of my club visits – what an absolute pleasure to meet you all on your home turf . First up , thank you very much for your wonderful , warm hospitality – Clayton and I were made to feel incredibly welcome wherever we went .
I ’ m also really grateful for the honest , upfront feedback , the many ideas shared and , also , the willingness to be open to new directions and viewpoints .
We all know the gigantic , rather rambunctious elephant in the room , currently , is membership – or , more to the point , the lack of it . There has been a development since I saw you all at the club visits in that Rotary International has asked New Zealand , Australian and South Pacific Rotarians to explore the possible combining of some districts .
One proposal is that 9980 merges with 9970 , the upper South Island , to form a new district . Details are limited at the moment , as this is , essentially , “ breaking news ”. At this stage , Rotary International has asked for proposals by March . As it happens , we ’ re just moving more focus onto the membership phase of 9980 ’ s 2016-17 strategy , having rolled out the beginnings of our public relations plan , so we certainly won ’ t be shy on ideas or innovation when it comes to reporting back to Rotary International .
Our district governors ’ chain is working on this , and we ’ ll be keeping in touch as we discuss this further and prepare our proposal .
Reading through In Gear , District 9980 ’ s uniqueness , its special character shines right on through . Whatever happens , I , for one , wouldn ’ t want to see that distinct spirit lost . I also get , though , that member numbers are falling , and reality does bite … even Rotary .
On behalf of District 9980 , I am going into this process keeping a very eagle eye out for the opportunities , and for the stepping stones that lead to a secure , sustainable , innovative and dynamic future .
Speaking of which , Clayton and I had the honour of joining 9980 ’ s E-Club of WASH ( water , sanitation and hygiene ) in late November for its charter party . So , how do you celebrate , when members are dotted
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