Greetings from DG David

Well here it is July 2014. It only seemed moments ago that someone suggested that I should apply for this role of DG for District 9700 back in early 2012. I can guarantee that time flies when you’re having so much fun!!

My year started with Blayney arranging a well organised changeover at their sensational new Community Centre with up to 150 people in attendance.

Congratulations to our new Board for the next year and thank you to PDG Geoff and Bettye for their guidance and friendship over the last couple of years leading up to changeover.

Since then I have had the pleasure of attending many Changeovers in our District and the official club visits due to start in July and wish all in-coming Presidents for the 2014-15 year the best in achieving their Club and personal goals.

Our theme as announced by RI President, Gary C.K. Huang is to “Light Up Rotary”. President Gary went onto say "Light Up Rotary is our theme, but it is more than our theme. It is how we live in Rotary, how we think in Rotary, how we feel, how we work," Huang said. "It is how we make a difference — every day, in every club, every district, and every country where we serve."

Within District 9700 we have set a small number of primary goals that we are asking each and every Rotarian to help us achieve during the 2014/15 year.

These are:-

• Increase the number of Rotarians in our District by 5%
• Promote the works of RI and increase the annual giving to the Rotary Foundation by individuals eg Paul Harris Society
• Extend the number and type of Clubs within the District

Encouraged by the ideals of President Gary I will extend to you all the challenge to help me “Light Up Rotary”. How you choose to do this is up to you but it must start with all Rotarians accepting the role of leadership to promote Rotary, to build stronger Clubs, to build a stronger Foundation or simply ask someone to join.

Let’s make this year one to really be proud of.

DAVID KENNEDY

District Governor