PRESIDENT'S QUARTERLY MESSAGE- July 2010

GREETINGS FROM OUR PRESIDENT

A new Rotary year is upon us. Richard has done an excellent job as President
and I extend my thanks to him and his team on behalf of us all.
I also thank all of you for the support you have given, and will no
doubt continue to give, to ensure our club meetings are lively and
full of fellowship, and our community and international activities are as
meaningful and vibrant as ever.

The focus of Rotary this year is “Building Communities Bridging Continents”.
For me that means looking at ways to increase our involvement in our
community and maintaining our commitment to international projects.
I have asked those committees to consolidate what is already happening
and look at new needs that we can be involved with this year. Rotary is
able to help small charities in significant ways in our local community
by our expertise, our help with people on the ground, and small packets
of funding. Our International work continues through the projects recommended
by the International committee, but also the Thanks For Life (T4L) programme
supported by Foundation. Last year saw our Rotary charity of Foundation
taking a major place in the life of the club. The Rotary day and the T4L
project to eradicate polio were very much in the eye of the public.
It will continue to be an important part of our programme.
One “spin off” of the T4L programme was our working together with the other
clubs in Cheltenham in a practical way, work that was initiated in the previous
Rotary year.

This collaboration will continue during this year through the birth of
Cheltenham Sparks, a new club aimed at the younger generation. Who will
make this happen? We will. How? At the very heart of Rotary are fellowship
and a sharing
Rotarians also have a high sense of ethical standards and respect for each other;
we do things right and we support each other in our own professions and callings. 

How can we achieve this? By taking a full part in what we do. So this year
I urge you to:
• Attend club meetings, the very heart of what Rotary is
• Attend your committee meetings and take a full part in the discussions
• Get involved with the “hands on” events where you can
• Help with our fundraising activities, especially Last Night of the Proms, 
 Jazz Aid and T4L
• Attend a Council meeting for a better understanding of what our club is about
• Bring a guest during the year, or more, to introduce them to Rotary.

Find a speaker, and let Mike have their details, so that we can have a good variety of speakers
Be prepared to speak yourself in our “vocational” spots

We need new members if we are to continue our many activities

We almost have a brand new team this year. Weared vision to serve our communities,
here and across the world.

We thank Carol and Tony for all they have done, but they take on new responsibilities,
Carol as a mentor with the emerging club in Cheltenham and Tony as Assistant District Secretary. 

We welcome Malcolm and Rob as Secretary and Treasurer respectively.
Nigel is our new SVP and Irene our JVP. Irene will be taking a lead in our
Membership committee. Angela Roberts will be looking after Foundation and
Angela Harmson will chair Com/Voc. Joan heads up YOC and Simon Griffin
continues with International.

My chosen charity this year is the National Star College and will be supporting
new projects in the curriculum. I hope that we will be able to strengthen our
links with the Star College during this year.

Finally, let’s have fun and fellowship together as we go about our task of
helping others.

John Holder