Rotarian Linda May is District Governor for 2011/12
After our District Handover, the Rotary year started for me with visits to clubs which were furthest away from my home base in South Leicestershire. This gave me a chance to see some of the lovely countryside within our District as well as receiving a warm welcome at all the clubs I visited. Thank you for welcoming me and my driver (not necessarily Roger) into your club meetings and giving me an insight into your club life.
August saw the visit of our RIBI President – Burman. It was also an opportunity for me to visit some of the club projects I had heard about, but not yet seen first-hand. We saw drop-out youths being drawn back into society at the Change of Scene project in Northampton, the full scope of the Trade Aid operation, the outcomes from the proceeds of the Grantham Swimarathon and Rotarian input into Sailability at Rutland Water and elsewhere. We even managed to unveil a blue plaque and take part in two radio interviews. This, along with club meetings, enabled Burman to meet and see a wide range of the work in District 1070. I can tell you, he was very impressed with what we saw. Unfortunately three days is rather a short time to be able to show him the full range of the projects in our District - but it did give him a good taster.
Our annual District Conference this year returned to Southport for the first time in twelve years. We found quite a different resort with very helpful staff at all the venues used. Judging by the comments we have received, you enjoyed the good venues, good food and the programme itself. The latter was the result of three years of detailed planning and hard work by the Conference Committee. We aimed to produce an enjoyable, sometimes moving, sometimes hilarious, Conference experience. We were, of course, further blessed with good weather and some free fireworks displays! (The Annual Musical Fireworks Competition was on during the same weekend). You will all have your own memory of your favourite speaker at Conference. It could be the optimism of youth, sheer political wit, Palace cuisine and the Rotary knowledge delivered by our Presidential Representatives. But the star for me was my superb, combined Conference Manager and Stage Manager, Chris Knight. I cannot thank him enough. I am also indebted to members of my Rotary Club and my Inner Wheel Club and their partners for giving up their own Conference time to act as Sergeants-at-Arms.
Please continue to join me, reaching within, to embrace humanity
Linda
