Following is a THANK YOU message from District Governor 2020-21, Bob McLean. Dear Rotarians of District 5580: You may recall a little exercise we did during our virtual District Conference. Sharing just ONE WORD that described this Rotary year; PANDEMIC, ZOOM, UNMUTE, quarantine, masks, distancing, sanitizing, shutdown, relief, stimulus, DEI, environment, courage, heroes, vaccine, hybrid, FUN… and many more. Of the many words shared a couple stood out: RESILIENCE and ENGAGEMENT! With all that was experienced, endured, and learned over the course of our year together, YOUR resilience and engagement has been truly inspiring and is most “Meaningful and Memorable” for me in this “Year of Opening Opportunities”! At every level, District 5580 is so fortunate to have exceptional Rotarians serving as our committed Club Officers, talented Assistant Governors, dedicated District Teams/Committees & Chairs, wonderful District Executives, and our amazing District Governor line. But at the heart of our district and our clubs are YOU, the Engaged Rotarian, who fully embrace “Doing Good in the World thru Service Above Self”. In DG club visits a definition of a Rotarian was shared (borrowed from RI CEO/GS John Hewko). When we build a park, a clinic, a school, a well; we are building PEACE. When we provide dictionaries for 3rd graders or support global scholars; we are building PEACE. When we advocate for Maternal/Infant health, the end to Human Trafficking, the eradication of Polio; we are building PEACE. What is a Rotarian? WE ARE! We are Peace Builders, building Positive Peace; dedicated to “Doing Good in the World through Service Above Self.” In this “year like no other…” It has been a genuine honor and joy to serve as the District Governor of 5580. Knowing who is to follow with DG Keith, DGE Kay, and DGN Dave, the future for District 5580 is incredibly bright; “The BEST is yet to come!” A final reminder… We are all Rotarians, in part, because someone at the very beginning of our Rotary journey invited us to a club meeting. So... Be A Friend - Invite a Friend to Rotary! May your experience as engaged Rotarians continue to be ”Meaningful and Memorable”. Enjoy the journey. Bob Robert L McLean District 5580 Governor 2020-2021 218.851.2303 |
