Positive Attitude.Me

Issue 9: NOVEMBER 2019.

As our District Conference has now finished, I have to give a tremendous thank you to the District Conference Team – also I wish to thank the Rotarians for registering and participating. The general feedback I am getting from several sources is, that everyone enjoyed the speakers and realised that they had a lot to offer, therefore some Rotarians made contact and will follow up in the near future.

What an inspiration everyone was, many thanks for your kind words and congratulations – but these must go to the Conference Team, Rotarians from GN&B Rotary and the Speakers for the major role they played in making it the success you felt it was. No matter the number of Rotarians, the impact locally and internationally made by your service, will be phenomenal.

For those of you who have read my biography on the District website, you will understand my passion for the 3 sectors which our conference speakers were drawn from. Engineering; Education and Entrepreneurship – these define my life journey and the many influencies on me as I have gone through life. They also fitted extremely well within our Rotary Foundation ‘6 areas of Focus’.

Each day, I am still being enthused and inspired by the Rotarians around me, the internet has made it very easy to identify new products and services available to us. We in Rotary must learn to embrace the technological developments and also consider innovative ways in which we can promote Rotary and the ‘Service Above Self’ that we as Rotarians can provide to our communities, locally and to society as a whole.

I am aware that there has been a ‘task group’ set up, to target various ideas and options to try and increase the number of new Rotarians, if you are aware of some who have recently stepped down, or if you know of any partners who have not been invited to join Rotary, please appeal to them to support the district again for a year or two, so that we can continue to have a presence in the West of Scotland.

I shall continue to strive to engage the ‘international student’ cohort, who are based in the ‘Halls of Residence’ in and around Partick and the University of Glasgow, thereafter I shall move on to the University of Strathclyde and Glasgow Caledonian, the City centre colleges will follow that, then the college campuses in and around Glasgow and Greater Glasgow, finishing with the University of The West of Scotland and the college campuses around the rest of the district – your input will be required to identify where these are.

I am aware that other districts are looking to the innovative ideas that we are considering to strive and engage new Rotarians, please encourage their input and support, it is only through building greater networks, will we have the opportunity to grow.

Time to get your ‘thinking cap’ on – learn to ‘think differently’ folks, seek out the potential opportunities for consideration. I will be looking for links to those influencers involved with the various ‘professional institutions’ who wish to provide opportunities for personal development and growth, to their registered professionals.

Rotary has a superb ‘incubation’ opportunity around the world, for a massive range of ‘entrepreneurial start up businesses’ which wish to develop products and services within the Rotary Foundation – ‘6 areas of focus’; indeed – Scotland has recently been given the title of the most entrepreneurial friendly country in the world, due to the development opportunities and support. We in Rotary provide opportunities for ‘young folk’ to be creative – let us continue that provision to youths and adults alike, thereby we may be able to engage them, rather than lose them..

Any investment by our Rotary Foundation, will generate multiple opportunities; as well as enabling partner organisations and funders to follow our lead, to bring new solutions to the issues within the ‘6 areas of focus’. Thereafter the provision can be expanded to consider the needs which are promoted through the 17 areas of focus, outlined by the United Nations.

Nov is ‘Rotary Foundation’ month – The Rotary Foundation is our own Charity.

            District Council is on the 13^th November – in the Glynhill Hotel.

            Dec is ‘Disease Prevention and Treatment’ month – a wonderful opportunity to engage

                        and encourage ‘Young Entrepreneurs’.

                        You will also have to identify your ‘New Officers’ for the Rotary year – 2020 / 2021

                        either at the end of November or at the start of December – at the latest.

I think I have given you enough material to keep your creative minds working overtime, please search inside yourself and consider if – you can / will share this journey of ‘thinking differently’ with me, I need your skills; expertise; ideas; and your very valuable time – to enable us to grow Rotary in the West of Scotland. – ARE YOU WITH ME?

Yours in Rotary Service

DG Jimmy

J

Issue 8: OCTOBER 2019.

As our District Conference looms closer, I have attempted to visit as many Rotary groups in our district, that I could before conference. What an inspirational journey it has been for me. No matter the number of Rotarians, I have been blown away by the range of projects being undertaken, the impact locally and internationally being made by your service, has been phenomenal.

For those of you who have read my biography on the District website, you will understand my passion for the 3 sectors which our conference speakers have been drawn from. Engineering; Education and Entrepreneurship – these define my life journey and the many influencies on me as I have gone through life. They also fit extremely well within our Rotary Foundation ‘6 areas of Focus’.

Each day, I continue to be enthused and inspired by the creativity around me, the internet has made it very easy to identify new products and services available to us. We in Rotary must learn to embrace the technological developments and also consider innovative ways in which we can promote Rotary and the ‘Service Above Self’ that we as Rotarians can provide to our communities, locally and to society as a whole.

As you may be aware, in my own Rotary – Glasgow North & Bishopbriggs, Chris (our International Chef) Rotarian, has managed to secure the first ever team of ‘Chefs with Disabilities’ the opportunity to participate in the ‘Culinary Olympics’ – we have a crowdfunding project going on in the ‘GlobalGiving’ platform – https://goto.gg/41764 please feel free to look at the project and contribute any which way you can.

The fundraising dinner on the 20^th Sept’ will have taken place by the time you read this, but the crowdfunding project will continue at least until 27^th September, after which if we have not made the target, we will have to apply for the next accelerator in October – there is a chance that we may not be selected again with the same project, we will have to wait and see.

I am aware that there has been a ‘task group’ set up, to target various ideas and options to try and increase the number of new Rotarians, if you are aware of some who have recently stepped down, or if you know of any partners who have not been invited to join Rotary, please appeal to them to support the district again for a year or two, so that we can continue to have a presence in the West of Scotland.

I shall continue to strive to engage the ‘international student’ cohort, who are based in the ‘Halls of Residence’ in and around Partick and the University of Glasgow, thereafter I shall move on to the University of Strathclyde and Glasgow Caledonian, the City centre colleges will follow that, then the college campuses in and around Glasgow and Greater Glasgow, finishing with the University of The West of Scotland and the college campuses around the rest of the district – your input will be required to identify where these are.

I am aware that other districts are looking to the innovative ideas that we are considering to strive and engage new Rotarians, please encourage their input and support, it is only through building greater networks, will we have the opportunity to grow.

Time to get your ‘thinking cap’ on – learn to ‘think differently’ folks, seek out the potential opportunities for consideration. I will be looking for links to those influencers involved with the various ‘professional institutions’ who wish to provide opportunities for personal development and growth, to their registered professionals.

Rotary has a superb ‘incubation’ opportunity around the world, for a massive range of ‘entrepreneurial start up businesses’ which wish to develop products and services within the Rotary Foundation – ‘6 areas of focus’; indeed – Scotland has recently been given the title of the most entrepreneurial friendly country in the world, due to the development opportunities and support. We in Rotary provide opportunities for ‘young folk’ to be creative – let us continue that provision to youths and adults alike, thereby we may be able to engage them, rather than lose them..

Any investment by our Rotary Foundation, will generate multiple opportunities; as well as enabling partner organisations and funders to follow our lead, to bring new solutions to the issues within the ‘6 areas of focus’. Thereafter the provision can be expanded to consider the needs which are promoted through the 17 areas of focus, outlined by the United Nations.

Oct is ‘Economic & Community Development’ month & 24^th is ‘Polio Day’ (also)

District Conference is 12^th/13^th Oct’, in the Golden Jubilee Hotel & Conference centre, Clydebank. The registration forms are out, and there are many options for attendance.

Nov is ‘Rotary Foundation’ month – The Rotary Foundation is our own Charity.

            District Council is on the 13^th November – in the Glynhill Hotel.

            Dec is ‘Disease Prevention and Treatment’ month – a wonderful opportunity to engage

                        and encourage ‘Young Entrepreneurs’.

                        You will also have to identify your ‘New Officers’ for the Rotary year – 2020 / 2021

                        either at the end of November or at the start of December – at the latest.

I think I have given you enough material to keep your creative minds working overtime, please search inside yourself and consider if – you can / will share this journey of ‘thinking differently’ with me, I need your skills; expertise; ideas; and your very valuable time – to enable us to grow Rotary in the West of Scotland. – ARE YOU WITH ME?

Yours in Rotary Service

DG Jimmy

Jimmy’s Monthly Newsletter

Issue 7. SEPTEMBER 2019.

I recently sent a welcome email to the 10 NEW members listed in the DMS since 1st July 2019. there are none from the 1st August yet, which is coming to an end soon.

I also decided to take a look at the number of NEW members in the District, since 1st January 2019 using the DMS search facility. There are 84, which included the 10 mentioned above, which means 74 since 1st July 2018, with just over 50 of these following the RI board notification.

I am not being complacent – but that equates to just over 1 new Rotarian per week, can you imaging the number if we were able to do that for our 48 groups in district? Even if we could manage just 1 new Rotarian each month in each Rotary, that would be over 600 in the year. Can we do it? – ‘yes we can’… to quote Bob the Builder!!!. If we can manage to do that with even a quarter of our groups, we might save the district from a merger. As that will enable us to meet the target set by RI.

It is possible that we can increase that number for this year, to meet the target of 100 new Rotarians set by IPDG Jim. Sadly, we have lost many Rotarians to the ravages of age, either through incapacity to continue due to ill health; infirmity or death. I wonder if that specific aspect will be taken into consideration, when they look at our active attempts to meet the request made.

We are considering many avenues to increase engagement and then conversion to Membership, therefore let us continue to work towards the goals set and push for recognition of the efforts being made to address the situation.

I have taken the recommendation from Roddy Duncan, to convert my efforts to engage the ‘Culinary Ability Chefs’ – and seek to launch an e-satellite Rotary from Glasgow North & Bishopbriggs, to secure any interest around the Globe from those registered with the various

Associations of Chefs, who wish to participate in the desire to provide access to their sector, by those with disabilities, seeking to pursue a career in in the Hospitality industry.

Recent actions and situations within that specific target group, have taken a great step forward, during our planning – although there is some concern that other Districts around the world, may copy the basic idea and even launch at the same time, or before we do – there is some urgency therefore to set this up and be first to do so.

During my visits, there have been some encouraging comments by individual Rotarians regarding the idea and we may manage to set up a ‘think tank’ to consider other employment sectors which we could be targeting a similar engagement strategy for their industry. They may also look at the various factors that might be a ‘hurdle’ for some in the community, to pursue a specific career.

These may include – ‘Deaf’; ‘Blind’; ‘Mute’; ‘Autistic’; those who are ‘economically challenged’; ‘single parents’; ‘refugees’; ‘economic migrants’; ‘displaced citizens’ from other countries; etc… the list may well grow. Therefore , it may be worthwhile exploring some of these sectors and

engaging with the professionals related to current provision for them.

There is a lesson to be gained, by looking at the list of ‘Rotary Fellowships’ and ‘Rotary Action Groups’; to stimulate thoughts of prospective sectors for consideration, that could sustain global Rotary e-satellites, based in District 1230.

There are also 143 sports listed, in a website I came across, which highlights World; Olympic; Continental; National championships – as well as another source, for the many countless hobbies and crafts that individuals are engaged in. A Rotary e-club ‘meeting their needs and desires’ to perhaps follow their passion and also ‘do good in the community’ at the same time, could very well be considered by them.

Time to get our thinking caps on – learn to ‘think differently’ folks, seek out the potential opportunities for consideration. Many of these sectors listed may well be able to seek funding to support individuals, from many agencies that see them as a ‘priority’ within the community. I guess these could be seen as ‘Community Action Groups’ – similar to the ‘peace corps’ listed

in Rotary.

Rotary may also have to ‘think differently’ regarding the skills that some of these individuals can share, albeit they may not be able to pay the annual subscription – some form of waver could be negotiated based on the time given to ‘help others’ in the community. That specific point may also address the comments made by many retired Rotarians who have less disposable income today and that becomes the main factor for them leaving Rotary. Taking their very valuable skills and experience away with them.

Sep is ‘Education’ month; and 20^th Sept’ is the ‘Culinary Olympics’ team

Fundraising dinner in the Banqueting Hall of Glasgow City Chambers. (contact me if you wish to attend)

Oct is ‘Economic & Community Development’ month & 24^th is ‘Polio Day’ (also)

District Conference is 12^th/13^th Oct’, in the Golden Jubilee Hotel & Conference centre, Clydebank. The registration forms are out, and there are many options for attendance. Finally, may I record a massive thank you, for your service.

Nov is ‘Rotary Foundation’ month – The Rotary Foundation is our own Charity.

I ask you to search inside yourself and consider if you can / will, share this journey of ‘thinking differently’ with me, I need your skills; expertise; ideas; and your very valuable time – to enable us to grow Rotary in the West of Scotland. – ARE YOU WITH ME?

Yours in Rotary Service

Jimmy

Jimmy’s Monthly Newsletter

Issue 6. AUGUST 2019.

We are already at the end of the first month in the Rotary year 2019/2020 – the visits have started, with twenty completed at the time of typing this newsletter. For me – it has been an inspiration. I have to repeat, the list and diversity of projects and social activities grows daily, the genius of so many Rotarians used to engage and involve their communities is phenomenal.

Equally, I want to record my respect further, to all the Rotarians in our district, your passion for ‘doing good’ is undiminished in difficult times, as those who have already had a visit will know, I urge you to continue your great work and strive to broadcast the ‘good news’ to others. A previous newsletter, (issue 4)  gives support to sign into or set-up your own ‘My Rotary’ account in www.rotary.org (if you need help, please let me know)

As a district, we have to increase our numbers above 1,100 by 30 June 2020. I seek your input as we strive to engage NEW Rotarians – to encourage and involve them through various options. I guess I am looking for your creativity and ability to ‘Think Differently’ so that we may manage this.

Remember that a ‘satellite’ of your Rotary can be recognised with 8 or more participants, it can meet at a different date and time, to suit those unable to attend a regular meeting. It can also have an alternate format and structure – making it more flexible and accommodating to others. You can also set up an ‘e-satellite’ (electronic) for those unable to attend a face to face event.

Anyone involved in a satellite, are ‘active’ Rotarians registered through your main Rotary, thereby enhancing your numbers and growing your options to ‘do good in the community’ and engage others in projects, which can be a joint project with the main group, or a separate project looking towards meeting a specific need.

This allows you to be more innovative and flexible, as well as attracting a diverse sector of the community to align themselves with the project. Being that flexible also enables other organisations to become real partners and gain Rotary recognition for the good work being done through them.

I will also be looking to recognise great work being done, therefore start thinking about individuals, or groups that you know have done great work. I will then do the ‘OSCARS’ – and make up shortlists of potential winners, invite those shortlisted to buy tickets for the Handover and we can reveal the winner – on the day of the Handover … creating some excitement and  friendly tension.

Aug is ‘Membership Extension’ month

            and District Council – is Wed’ 14^th; Glynhill Hotel; 6.30pm

Sep is ‘Education’ month; and 20^th Sept’ is the ‘Culinary Olympics’ team

Fundraising dinner in the Banqueting Hall of Glasgow City Chambers. (contact me if you wish to attend)

Oct is ‘Economic & Community Development’ month & 24^th is ‘Polio
            Day’ (also)

District Conference is 12^th/13^th Oct’, in the Golden Jubilee Hotel & Conference centre, Clydebank. The registration forms are out, and there are many options for attendance. Finally, may I record a massive thank you, for your service.

Yours in Rotary Service

Jimmy

Jimmy’s Monthly Newsletter

Issue 5. AUGUST 2019.

We are already into the Rotary year 2019/2020 – club visits have started. What an inspiration it has been too. The list and diversity of fundraising projects and social activities grows daily, the genius of so many Rotarians used to engage and involve their communities is phenomenal.

I want to record my respect to all the Rotarians in our district, your passion for ‘doing good’ is undiminished in difficult times, I urge you though, to continue the great work and strive to broadcast your ‘good news’ to others. The previous (issue 4)  newsletter gave you support to sign into or set-up your own ‘My Rotary’ account in www.rotary.org (if you need another copy let me know)

Immediate Past District Governor Jim, set us a target to increase our numbers above 1,100 by 30 June 2020. I also desire that and I seek your support as we strive to engage up to 20% NEW Rotarians – by encouraging and involving them through various options.

A ‘satellite’ of your Rotary can be recognised with 8 or more participants, the ‘satellite’ can meet at a different date and time, to suit the needs of those unable to attend the Regular meeting. A satellite can also have an alternate format and structure – making it more flexible and accommodating to others. You can also set up an ‘e-satellite’ for those unable to attend a face to face event.

Those involved in the satellite, are full Rotarians registered through your main Rotary, thereby enhancing your numbers and growing your options to ‘do good in the community’ and engage others in the projects, which can be a joint project with the main group, or a separate project looking towards meeting a specific need. This allows you to be more innovative and flexible, as well as attracting a diverse sector of the community to align themselves with the project. Being that flexible also enables other organisations to become real partners and gain further recognition for the good work being done through them.

An example may be, the local ‘Police Scotland Youth Volunteers’ – organised separately from Rotary, although engaged with Rotary to provide a specific service, the Adult Leaders can become members and gain recognition for organising the youth projects or ‘interact’ group in the community. Thereby enabling the young volunteers to participate more fully, in the range of Rotary youth events and exchange opportunities.

It is important to ‘think differently’ as we liaise with others in the community, to enhance the services provided to others needing help.

Aug is ‘Membership Extension’ month

            and District Council – Wed’ 14^th; Glynhill Hotel; 6.30pm

Sep is ‘Education’ month; and 20^th Sept’ is the ‘Culinary Olympics’ team

Fundraising dinner in the Banqueting Hall of Glasgow City Chambers.

Oct is ‘Economic & Community Development’ month & 24^th is ‘Polio
            Day’

District Conference is 12^th/13^th Oct’, in the Golden Jubilee Hotel & Conference centre, Clydebank. The registration forms are already out, ask your President and Secretary. There are many options for attendance, to make it easier for you. Finally, may I take this moment to thank you all, for your service.

Yours in Rotary Service,

Jimmy

Jimmy’s Monthly Newsletter

Issue 4. JULY 2019.

Well, here we are – you have already installed me as District Governor, but I know it is only a temporary installation, keeping the seat warm for District Governor Elect Angela.

I want to repeat some of the information in newsletter 3, as I need ‘input’ from you, to allow me to represent our District the best I can, taking forward your desires and addressing your concerns. This newsletter will again seek your support to sign into or set-up your own ‘My Rotary’ account in www.rotary.org

At  District Assembly, the team leaders had prepared support materials for you, if you could – share this information with as many Rotarians from your club for 2019/20?

In www.rotary.org when you set up your ‘My Rotary’ account, you can then sign in each year and use the ‘Rotary Club Central’ tool to help you set your goals, keep them simple: e.g.

1. We aim to have one (1) new Rotarian during the year 2019/20.
2. We aim to have (100%) retention of our current Rotarians.
3. We aim to try and raise (£21) from each Rotarian for Foundation, to represent the $26.50 donation from Arch Klumph in 1917, when he set up the Rotary Foundation to help support our charitable work of ‘doing good in the world’. [ EREY ] ‘Every Rotarian Every Year’.
4. We aim to raise (£77) per head for the Rotary Foundation ‘Annual Fund’ as ‘Sustaining Members’ of the Rotary Foundation.
5. We aim to increase the ‘diversity’ of Rotarians, to best represent the community; (a) in Gender; (b) Ethnic/Cultures; etc..
6. We aim to provide an ‘electronic newsletter’ to share information to our Rotarians (please place me on your circulation mailing list)
7. We aim to liaise with local Media to promote our charitable activities.
8. We aim to engage with other organisations in the community
9. We aim to get involved with some of the ‘Rotary Action Groups / Fellowships’ in My Rotary.
10. We aim to encourage as many Rotarians as possible to participate in Training and Leadership roles in our own Rotary and at District level.

If you manage to do these simple steps, then you will make a massive impact on the profile of the District within Rotary.

Calendar items to think about:

July is ‘new officers’ internal training / set-up.

Aug is ‘Membership Extension’ month

            and District Council – Wed’ 14^th; Glynhill Hotel; 6.30pm

Sep is ‘Education’ month

District Conference is 12^th/13^th Oct’, in the Golden Jubilee Hotel & Conference centre, Clydebank. The registration forms are out, ask the President Elect and Secretary. There are many options for attendance, to make it easier for you and your family to participate. The program is looking very good and the cost is down this year.

Finally, I have started my District Governor visits, may I take this moment to thank you all, for responding to the proposed dates or alternative dates, I think I know where I’m going now.

Yours in Rotary Service,

Jimmy

Jimmy’s Monthly Newsletter

Issue 3. MAY 2019.

We are starting the final countdown – 6 weeks to go, you are busy with AGM’s; Assemblies and Handovers happening or looming and planning for next session 2019/20?

I need ‘input’ from you, to allow me to represent our District the best I can, taking forward your desires and addressing your concerns. This newsletter will also seek your support to sign into or set-up your own ‘My Rotary’ account in www.rotary.org

At our District Assembly, the district team leaders all prepared support materials for you, therefore, could you strive to share with as many Rotarians from your club for next session 2019/20?

In www.rotary.org when you set up your ‘My Rotary’ account, you can then sign in each year and use the ‘Rotary Club Central’ tool to help you set your goals, keep them simple: e.g.

1. We aim to have one (1) new Rotarian during the session 2019/20.
2. We aim to have (100%) retention of our current Rotarians.
3. We aim to try and raise (£21) from each Rotarian for Foundation, to represent the $26.50 donation from Arch Klumph in 1917, when he set up the Rotary Foundation to help support our charitable work of ‘doing good in the world’. [ EREY ] ‘Every Rotarian Every Year’.
4. We aim to raise (£77) per head for the Rotary Foundation ‘Annual Fund’ as ‘Sustaining Members’ of the Rotary Foundation.
5. We aim to increase the ‘diversity’ of Rotarians, to best represent the community; (a) in Gender; (b) Ethnic/Cultures; etc..
6. We aim to provide an ‘electronic newsletter’ to share information to our Rotarians
7. We aim to liaise with local Media to promote our charitable activities.
8. We aim to engage with other organisations in the community
9. We aim to get involved with some of the ‘Rotary Action Groups / Fellowships’ in My Rotary.
10. We aim to encourage as many Rotarians as possible to participate in Training and Leadership roles in our own Rotary and at District level.

If you manage to do these simple steps, then you will make a massive impact on the profile of the District within Rotary.

Calendar items to think about:

May is ‘Youth Service’ month;

June is ‘Fellowship’ month;

July is ‘new officers’ internal training / set-up.

Complete your AGM’s; Assembly & Handover (May; June / July)

District Handover lunch, is Sun’ 30th June, at 1.00pm; Glynhill Hotel, Renfrew. I would very much appreciate and value your support.

District Conference is 12^th/13^th Oct’, in the Golden Jubilee Hotel & Conference centre, Clydebank. The registration forms are out, ask the President Elect and Secretary. There are many options for attendance, to make it easier for you and your family to participate. The program is looking very good and the cost is down this year.

Finally, please respond to the proposed ‘District Governor’ visit request, which was in the President Elect pack, so that I may confirm dates in the diary. Yours in Rotary Service,Jimmy

Jimmy’s Monthly Newsletter

Issue 2. 2019.

With only a few weeks to go, time for AGM’s; Assemblies and Handovers happening or looming and to look forward and plan for next session 2019/20?

My ‘forward looking’ monthly newsletter, will share information from you, up to 3 months in advance, so that you may promote some of your own local activities and seek collaboration from others, for your local and international projects.

The ‘FOUNDATION’ seminar provided insight into our OWN Rotary Charity – ‘The Rotary Foundation’. The seminar shared how you can access your contributions and have them returned to the District as ‘Grants’, to support the outstanding work you are doing locally or internationally, providing a ‘Service Above Self’ and enhancing the reach and impact of the support you are giving.

The Rotary Foundation, now concentrate all ‘grant’ activities on ‘6 Areas of Focus’ which are as follows:

1. ‘Peace and Conflict Prevention / Resolution’
2. ‘Disease Prevention and Treatment’
3. ‘Water and Sanitation’
4. ‘Maternal and Child Health’
5. ‘Basic Education and Literacy’
6. ‘Economic and Community Development’

You can download individual A4 double-sided sheets of these, from www.rotary.org

During the past year, I have been looking ahead to collaborate with other ‘community service’ organisations. I hope this will enable us to gain new Rotarians from these groups. If you have any links or contacts in these groups locally, share the news of collaboration and you may manage to encourage their participation with you.

With help from Rotaract, I plan to target students attending Universities and Colleges in the West of Scotland, I have basic information in their own language: – Korean; Japanese; French; German; Portugese; Italian and Spainish, promoting Rotaract opportunities and the various youth opportunities open to them, i.e. ‘New Generations Exchange’; ‘Youth Exchange’; ‘Camps’; ‘RYLA’; etc. If you have contacts in these groups, let me know, I can provide you with resources for them and encourage participation locally. One Rotarian is striving to get the information in ‘Polish’ for us, another is striving to provide them in ‘Punjabi’.

I also hope to build a collaborative link with major employers in the West of Scotland and perhaps negotiate with the staff, some ‘corporate members’ for Rotary. We need to ‘THINK DIFFERENTLY’ and break down the barriers within our communities, allowing us to continue to provide a ‘Service Above Self’ and enhance our Rotary presence in the West of Scotland.

Calendar items to think about:

May is ‘Youth Service’ month;

June is ‘Fellowship’ month;

Plan your AGM; Assembly & Handover (May; June / July)

Dist’ Handover lunch, is Sun’ 30th June, at 1.00pm; Glynhill Hotel, Renfrew.

Dist’ Conf’ is 12^th/13^th Oct’, in the Golden Jubilee Hotel & Conference centre, Clydebank.

Yours in Rotary Service, Jimmy

Jimmy’s Monthly Newsletter

Issue 1. 2019.

With just over 1 month to go in the year for District Governor Jim Ross, I thought it may be an appropriate time to ask you to start looking ahead for session 2019/20.

I plan to provide a ‘forward looking’ monthly newsletter, probably sharing information up to 3 months in advance, so that you may promote some of your activities and seek collaboration from others for some of your projects.

My starting point is the recent District Council at which the executive shared with you the information that RI (Rotary International) had indicated that the numbers in our District, had been dropping steadily over the years and that we had passed the threshold of being able to have our own District. The discussion at Council agreed and understood that any proposed merger may result in a dramatic loss of Rotarians from our District.

Therefore:- we have PETO (President Elect Training and Orientation) It would be great if all our Presidents attending, can share the plans for our future and enhance the opportunity for a continued Rotary presence in the West of Scotland. Please, could you strive to have a representative from your club attend?

I can only be your servant as District Governor, as I have been elected to represent our District within the wider world of Rotary. To be able to do this efficiently and effectively, I need to hear from each one of you, on which aspects I should take the lead, to represent your wishes. I would have thought that the one thing you do not want, is for me to go and be an egomaniac and promote my own thoughts on what you want or need. Particularly as I may get it very wrong!!!

You may have heard or read from my previous reports during the past year, which I have been looking ahead on the issue of collaborating with other ‘community service’ volunteers in other organisations. The purpose of which will enable us to perhaps gain some new Rotarians from within these groups.

During the past 12 months, I have met with representatives from various cultural and ethnic groups in the West of Scotland, discussions are still at an early stage, although they may already be showing some ‘new shoots’ emerging, from which we may manage to record new Rotarians. If you have any links or contacts within these groups locally, share this news and you may manage to encourage their participation with you.

The representatives I have chatted with so far are The Chinese community; The Indian community; The Pakistan community; The African community also, with help from our Rotaractors, we plan to target the student cohort attending Universities and Colleges in the West of Scotland, using information in their own language, such as – Korean; Japan; French; German; Portugal; Italian and Spain, promoting Rotaract opportunities and the various youth opportunities open to them, i.e. ‘Youth Exchange’; ‘Camps’; ‘RYLA’; etc. If you have any contact within one or more of these groups, please let us know, we can then provide you with resources to reach out to them and encourage participation locally.

Not only have the cultural groups been contacted, some of us who were volunteering at the ‘Scottish Schools Athletics’ event in the Emirates Arena, managed to chat with many individuals who were showing and interest in the work which Rotary does, locally and internationally. One of those individuals happens to be a coach for the ‘Springburn Harriers’ in which they have young athletes from our (Glasgow North & Bishopbriggs) five local secondary schools. I hope to build a collaborative link and perhaps negotiate some ‘corporate’ members from the adult athletes.

Some of you may know that I swim a couple of mornings each week. I regularly meet and chat with another swimmer who happens to be the Boys Brigade Captain of a local Company in (Glasgow North & Bishopbriggs) who is also the Glasgow Battalion Secretary. He indicated that they are also in early stage talks with their fellow organisations – The Scouts; The Girls Brigade; The Guides; we chatted about offering some of the ‘youth’ opportunities through their organisations and we may perhaps gain Rotarians from the Officers and Leaders.

I must thank you for a link to the last group that I am chatting with, The Police Young Volunteers – I chatted with one of the leaders at a Paisley event and since then I have been contacted by our local group and I plan to chat with them also. My aim is to share any information gained, with each of you in the hope that you will also see the opportunities to engage with all of these groups; organisations and cultures around you locally.

We need to ‘THINK DIFFERENTLY’ and break down the barriers within our communities, allowing us to continue to provide a ‘Service Above Self’ and enhance our Rotary presence in the West of Scotland.

If you happen to have a link to – The Soroptimist ladies; The Inner Wheel ladies; or The Womens Institute ladies; please let me know and we can look to building a link with them too.

To finish this first newsletter, here are specific Rotary items to think about from the Rotary Foundation 6 areas of Focus and annual calendar:

May is ‘Youth Service’ month;

June is ‘Fellowship’ month;

You should also be planning your AGM; Assembly & Handover (May; June / July)

The District Handover dinner is Sunday 30th June 2019, at 1.00pm in the Glynhill Hotel, Renfrew.

The ‘District Conference’ is 12^th/13^th October 2019 in the Golden Jubilee Hospital & Conference centre, Clydebank. More information on the conference will emerge in the future ‘Monthly Newsletters’ – make sure that you look at the various options to attend and participate, bring family and friends, encourage potential Rotarians to attend and hear about the great work you do as a Rotarian, locally and internationally.

Thank you for selecting me to represent you as your District Governor next session, I can only perform at my best with your support and input, therefore let us build up a dialogue between us, so that I am able to focus on the route District wishes to go.

Yours in Rotary Service

Jimmy

There are several projects being worked on at this time, personal and emotional, is the decluttering of the house and selling off some of the tools / equipment used over the years – that I am no longer able to use, due to my age and lack of ability.

Although I may not be able to work physically hard, my mind is working in overdrive, as the education project with a colleague has gone into a new sector, which we hope will engage; encourage and educate all participants.

Also on the go at present is a new Rotary inspired product, one which will raise the profile of Rotary across the world – if Rotarians get behind the product and purchase / sell – to contribute to their own local fundraising activities.

The Engineering / Education projects are still moving forward slowly; as are the other Rotary inspired projects – these though need additional funding, well in excess of that which I have available.

If you wish to chat about investing in any of the projects, please feel free to get in touch, or arrange a suitable time and place for a face to face meeting.