Greetings to all District Rotarians:

 

July is Rotary Leadership Month. In accordance with policy and tradition, new leaders at Rotary International, Zone, District, and Club levels have been installed, bringing fresh energy and ideas to our great organization. While advocating positive change, they steadfastly adhere to the basic principles and values that have characterized Rotary for 119 years: nurturing acquaintance through meaningful and fulfilling associations within a Rotary Club, as envisioned by Paul Harris, for the betterment of self and community; and, based on that solid human foundation, enabling the dynamics of a member-centric, civil society organization doing service above self to bring lasting change to the world.

 

Our District’s change in leadership resulted in a fond but reluctant farewell, with sincere thanks for exemplary service, to District Governor Fred Gellert, who will now become the Immediate Past District Governor and also co-chair of our District Learning Committee.  Fortunately, rising stars have guaranteed continuity and succession for our District: Mary Brunski assumed the position of District Governor Elect, and Rebecca Zalit became the District Governor Nominee. PDG Juliet Altenburg graciously installed me as District Governor, a responsibility comprehensible only because of the essential role you each perform daily as a Rotarian. You exemplify Paul Harris’s statement that “Shared effort knows no limitation.”

 

And, always recall Paul Harris’ choice of the name Rotary, causing each member to ‘visit’ (or be aware of) the other members’ place of work or lifestyle, to learn what they care about, and their interests. That knowledge makes us a truly welcoming, compassionate, and social organization!

 

As Rotarians, we must steadfastly contribute to a better community and world, by applying the 4 way test of truthfulness, fairness, friendliness, and helpfulness to our thoughts and actions, and to embrace the ideal of Service above Self, while guided by the constant values of Service, Fellowship, Diversity, Integrity, and Leadership.  Toward that goal, we must constantly assess how we are doing in adhering to that standard, and ensuring that our time and energy are spent prudently.

 

In our Clubs, the unique labs of Rotary, we must mobilize the exponential power of like-minded members, based on friendship and personal fulfillment, to engage in the good things we do. From service projects, to grants, to scholarships, to youth engagement, our District leadership team will continue to help Clubs achieve those essential activities. There will be more about our District Committee structure in a follow-on report later this month.

 

The new RI President, Stephanie Urchick, from McMurray PA, ushered in the new year by emphasizing the irresistible Magic of Rotary, a theme fully descriptive of what, in fact, pertains. She is a major advocate of inducting new members of every age and background, and having Rotary undertake initiatives that seek peace. In February, she will chair a Peace Conference in Istanbul focused on ‘healing in a divided world.’ Our District will enthusiastically support her efforts, having just been designated a Peacebuilding District!

 

President Stephanie’s stance on how a Rotarian approaches issues and actions should resonate well within our District: ‘always say yes, and then figure out how to do what you just agreed to.’ When you hear those words or requests coming from our highly talented and motivated new Club Presidents, please just say yes!

 

The new Zone 32 Director, Chris Etienne, has already inspired unique methods for the 22 Districts in our geographical area, representing 4 countries and 2 languages, to adapt to new norms in technology and communications in order to achieve the strategic priorities of engaging Rotarians to expand their reach and increase their impact through their actions.

         

As a Global Organization, we are people of action, seeking life-changing and life-saving differences in the lives of others and ourselves.  Our District will aggressively support activities that address community and global challenges of disease, conflict, economic disparity, imperfect governance, environmental upheaval, and always seek relief from food, health, and education deficiencies.

 

So, as Rotarians, Clubs, and District, we need to increase our reach and our impact, and to engage all our members wherever and whenever we can, while constantly adapting to the changing needs and norms of a complex world.  Those are strategic priorities that we can all address.  With your friendship and support, and with the image and guidance of Paul Harris always at my side, I gladly assume this responsibility to work with every Rotarian and Club, and every other community entity, serving as custodian for a fleeting year, of the goals of our District, as our journey weaves its way toward a noble distant destination.

 

I look forward with great anticipation to explore the exponential magic of our collective powers.

 

Best wishes,

DG Paul Thompson, 2024-2025