Dian Edwards
District Governor 2012-2013
The most sincere message I can deliver to every District 5630 Rotarian is one of gratitude for all you do to provide service above self in your community and throughout the world. You and your contributions of time, talent, and treasure prepare the way to “Peace through Service.”
The Rotary year ahead of us will be a year of transition to encourage our district and clubs to participate more fully in six primary service areas:
- Peace and Conflict Prevention/Resolution
- Disease Prevention and Treatment
- Water and Sanitation
- Maternal and Child Health
- Basic Education and Literacy
- and, Economic and Community Development.
Rotary.org: Rotary International Areas of Focus
We will provide clubs with the tools and resources they will need to embrace these new program opportunities. Under the leadership of PDG Dave Snow, we will continue to assist our clubs with strategic planning through “visioning” workshops. We will implement a new initiative through the Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) that will educate club representatives about Rotary and the many program opportunities and services available through our Rotary organization. Clubs that participate in these programs will be well equipped to meet eligibility requirements for the RI Presidential Citation and Governor’s Citation.
PDG Ron Bazata’s “Extreme Makeover” theme during this past year has propelled us in a positive direction toward membership growth and retention. We will continue to build on these successes with the formation of an e-Club and the expansion of the number of community based clubs in our district. Our newly formed Information Technology Committee will examine ways to collaborate with other district committees to utilize our district website as an education resource for new club members as well as an information exchange for all district Rotarians.
On the International horizon, our Group Study Exchange (GSE) with District 4580 in Brazil has been approved. We will soon begin the process of selecting a GSE outbound team comprised of individuals involved in the focus area of Basic Education and Literacy to travel to Brazil in early May. The inbound team from Brazil will visit our district in mid to late April. We have also budgeted for travel scholarships to encourage clubs to identify and participate in international projects. As Rotarians, we are “This Close” to eliminating polio from the face of the earth! Consider traveling to India with Dale Schultz in February/March to participate in a National Immunization Day (NID). While evidence of endemic polio has decreased in the past year, it is essential that we continue our effort to support the PolioPlus Campaign and finish the job. Your sustaining support of this important program is essential to the completion of this campaign.
Our New Generations activities continue to thrive as we manage our Youth Exchange Programs, Great Plains RYLA, Rotaract and Interact Clubs. During this year we will develop the guidelines for the award of global scholarships as a part of the new grant funding program that will begin on July 1, 2013.
Much of what we do requires fundraising. While our clubs successfully generate the resources needed to support local service projects, we hope that we can become more active in boosting the benefits of these fundraising activities with a greater participation in The Rotary Foundation’s (TRF) matching grant programs. Please be reminded that each individual’s personal contributions to TRF through Every Rotarian Every Year (EREY) provide a return of investment directly to us for district managed grant funding in future years.
Our district is fortunate to have an outstanding team of leaders who serve as district officers, district committee chairs, and assistant governors. A listing of these individuals can be found on this website. Â Please keep in contact with and utilize these valuable resources in support of your club activities.
I hope that each of you will take an active role in whatever aspect of Rotary service that most appeals to you. I look forward to visiting each of our clubs at the beginning of our new Rotary year. I welcome your comments, suggestions, and ideas about how we can continue to strengthen our programs and services in District 5630.
In Service of Rotary,
Dian Edwards
Governor 2012-2013
2012-2013 RI Theme
“Peace Through Service”