Changeover Speech 22/6/21
Past President Gavin, Members, Partners and guests, thank you all for being here this evening to share this important event on our calendar. This the beginning of a new Rotary Year and I am looking forward to both the rewards and the challenges that will no doubt be part of our 2021/212 journey.
Firstly, to Gavin. Gavin thank you for the enormous contribution you make to this club, and for your leadership this last Rotary year. It has not been an easy year with the shadow of Covid and the impact that had on all of us, and the internal issues we faced as a club. You lead us through this challenging time, but there have been some genuine high spots. We have a growing membership and you introduced the Award for 25 + years membership. An award that will remain in your name, a legacy at each Charter night going forward.
For me personally Gavin, I thank you for the support you have given me as I prepared for this presidential year, and I know you will continue that support when I need advice throughout this coming year in your capacity of Immediate Past President. I now hand you your own Past President pin.
I would also like to acknowledge the support you have had from your wife Lynne, She clearly has the patience of a saint! but I know she has been a very important part of your life as President and we wish to thank you Lynne for helping make it possible for Gavin to carry out this role for the club.
The 2021/22 Presidential Theme is Serve to Change Lives, set by the incoming International President Shekhar Mehta, he is urging members to become more involved in-service projects as this way of life changes the lives not only of others but also our own.
In my view this is very relevant to our club. We reflect this very well. We are proactive in engaging with our community to develop and manage projects that make a significant difference to some of the more vulnerable in our community, but we can always do better. My goal, with your support, is to serve through unity and with purpose. To do that we will strengthen the positive culture we have to make us more effective in what we do. Part of that process will be the ensure a high level of engagement from all members of the club to support the great work we already do.
As noted, the past Rotary year has had its challenges and with the distraction of Covid it has not always been easy to maintain strong and consistent communication links. A key focus for me will be to strengthen communication within the club which will serve to unify us, and give us sense of purpose as we continue to serve our community and raise our profile in the community, identifying ourselves as a club that cares and delivers, this in turn will hopefully encourage new members who want to “put back” into the community in a meaningful way. A new Coms committee has been formed to support this direction.
Quite a challenge, but I strongly believe we can do this and do it well.
I would now ask my Directors and Board members to come forward as their names are called.
President Elect Malcolm Pascoe
Secretary Alison Kearney
Treasurer John Richardson
Asst Treasurer John Sanders
Directors
Community Sally Fletcher
International/Vocation/Youth Mike Stanghan
Membership and Service Colin Monk.
Social Mike Abercrombie.
Sergeant Bill Charkow.
There a many other members who have specific roles in the club and those are identified in the Directory.
Finally, I thank you all in advance for your support and commitment as we begin, what I am sure, will be a very busy but satisfying year.