District Governor Phil Sammer to Speak - July 11, 2013

Aloha Energizers!

  Our year has begun! I hope you’re all as excited as I am as we head into this new adventure. RI President Ron Burton’s theme is Engage Rotary Change Lives and I know that District 5000 Rotarians are set to do just that. This year we will be emphasizing the WHY in Rotary: Why are we Rotarians, Why do believe in Service Above Self?

  We’re also emphasizing the FUN in Rotary. I’ve asked each club to begin a new fun tradition that will engage and excite their members. I’ve also asked each club to start a new project that takes service in a new direction.

  This is also the year when we stay Forever Young: Young in ideas, Young in spirit, Young in projects and Young in membership. We are continuing our successful Ignite membership program and are aiming for a 20% increase by June 2014. Recruiting is important but so is retention. Let’s be sure that every member is engaged and excited about Rotary and working to make this the best year ever for the club.

  The Rotary Foundation begins a new era this month with emphasis on larger, sustainable projects with a more lasting impact. Forty-six of the forty-nine District 5000 clubs have qualified to receive funds and are in the process of deciding how to spend their allocations. Given the larger size of matching grants ($15,000 minimum) most clubs will need to cooperate to be able to participate. The District has identified three projects that clubs might wish to support to make it easier. There are also increased tracking, reporting and document storage requirements for both the clubs and the District. But the mission of the Foundation remains the same: To do good in our local communities and around the world.

   Every year brings new opportunities and that is especially true in 2013. I know that every club president is ready to have the best year ever for the club so, let’s go!    Aloha,        DG Phil