Report by Anne
DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU BELONG?
Michael Lapina, District Governor of District 9800 came to visit The Rotary Club of Canterbury tonight. All over the world, he noted, there is a bond amongst Rotarians. He acknowledged our Rotary Club icons and their muses- John McCaskill (Leadership and Engagement, Environment), Tony Laycock (Past Assistant Governor), Jonathan Shepherd (legendary MC) and Michael Stillwell Rotary Community Leader - who has accompanied Michael to all the local community meetings - 13 clubs in this community (or is it 14? - the Ed).
The main task assigned to District Governors in this year, The Magic of Rotary, is to think outside the box. Stephanie Urchik, RI President, came upon this theme while on a visit to a Rotary International project, during which one child commented on the magic of the production of clean water. Rotary makes people smile. He reiterated that we need to be thankful for what Rotarians do and for the people who support them in their projects, whatever they may be.
The three stated goals are:-
1. Simply irresistible membership
2. Continuity (using the themes from the previous 2 RI Presidents and creating the message "Imagine Creating Hope in The World through the Magic of Rotary"
3. healing a divided world.
Relating what NAB managers were required to do once a year (Michael worked at the NAB as a Project Director), to phone and thank customers for being loyal, he highlighted the need for an emotional attachment and an investment in the members of a Rotary Club.
During the allocated question time, Alan Stevens raised the very salient comment that there are no administration fees in Rotary, real magic! (that's true for the clubs but only 7 cents in every dollar goes to the administration of Rotary internationally, a significant difference to many other charity organisations - the Ed) it is believed that the Lions are similar in this regard. Michael responded by informing us that once again Rotary International has been awarded four stars in the Charity Navigator. He also emphasised an interesting perspective, that Rotaract should be part of Rotary International through the mentoring of its young members. He provided information on the cost of registering a Rotaract member which many were unaware of and gave us food for thought
For those who are active on social media Michael together with his trusty assistant, Alex made his Magical Minute (his 32nd), recorded is on video and we all yelled " The Magic of Rotary!!" Look out for that on your social media posts
