Page 1 - Rotary Matters - October 2020

October 2020 DG Newsletter

Dear fellow Rotarians and friends of Rotary,
Lyn and I have travelled as far west as Pt Lincoln in September and have been warmly
welcomed by clubs as we deliver the Rotary message from RI President, Holger Knaack.
During the month, we were also fortunate to attend the celebration of the Rotary Club
of Blackwood’s 50th Birthday where many memories where shared and a legacy of Rotary
Service was revealed. Well done Blackwood on reaching this milestone.

Last Sunday, I was fortunate enough
to witness a great youth project in
action, the Rotary Youth Sailing
Challenge inspired and initiated
by David Binks OAM (RC Glenelg).
17 students departed on an
adventurous 5-day voyage where
they will be challenged as a team to
sail the magnificent One and All sailing ship under the captaincy of Bill Walsh (RC Glenelg).

Left: All Aboard heading for Gulf St Vincent. Right: DG David with David Binks and Captain Bill Walsh.

OCTOBER IS ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT MONTH
Economic and community development is one of Rotary’s seven areas of focus. Unemployment,
underemployment, lack of economic opportunity, lack of appropriate training, and the absence of social
safety nets lie at the core of poverty. Nearly 800 million people live on less than $1.90 a day.

Creating productive employment opportunities is essential for reducing poverty, achieving sustainable
economic and social development, providing income security and empowerment especially for women,
people with disabilities, youth, and the extremely poor.

Has your Club considered how you it can help improve these statistics both in Australia and internationally?

ALUMNI RECONNECT WEEK 5th to 11th October
Reconnect Week is a way for former Rotary program participants and scholars like Peace Fellows, Youth
Exchange Students, Rotary Scholars, ex-Rotaractors, and past participants of our Youth Programs (e.g. NYSF,
RYLA and RYPEN) to reunite with Rotary.
Lyn and I are both past Rotaractors therefore alumni and have recognised the benefit of reconnecting
to a life of service through Rotary. So often we sponsor young people (and not so young at times) to our
programs, they may come and talk to our club but are never to be heard from again. We should not be
afraid to engage with our alumni and ask what they would like to achieve by remaining involved in Rotary.
In October, attempt to connect with your alumni by asking them to volunteer in one of your projects.

DISTRICT CONFERENCE 16th-18th APRIL 2021
The Conference Committee is happy to announce the new venue for the District 9510 Conference will be
Westminster School at Marion. Unfortunately, due to current Covid restrictions, the number of attendees
at this moment will be limited to approximately 300. This will hopefully change
in due course and the ability to host more Rotarians increased.
More details and Registrations will follow.

Yours in Rotary DG David Jones