In his July 2023 Newsletter, District 7070 Governor John Burns talks about Rotary International President Gordon McInally's wish to continue building this year, on what we have already accomplished: integrating Rotaact into the Rotary; empowering girls and women; advancing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; and providing every resource to end Polio; and to also take steps to eliminate the stigma associated with Mental Illness as we work on Gordon's theme to 'Create Hope in the World" ......
Dear fellow Rotarians, Rotaractors, Interactors and Earlyactors, !!.
Well, it’s finally here, 1st July 2023.
As I take up the gavel to lead our fabulous District, I am truly humbled and honoured to have been selected as your District Governor.
All DGs are different and we all have our little idiosyncrasies; I am sure that in time you will get used to mine.
As we go forward, and I make my club visits you will clearly notice my Scottish accent. Like our incoming RI President, I hope you will be able to follow and understand me. PDG Iosif likes to say “Don’t worry there will be English translations available”. Unfortunately, that is not the case, but feel free to question me if you don’t understand.
Gordon McInally in his speech at the International Assembly in Orlando, Florida outlined the ”Rotary Year Ahead”.
The key to his plan is “Continuity”.
It is his wish that we continue to progress the work we have already done over the previous years, with even more vigour and enthusiasm.
He specifically highlighted the following :-
Continue the integration of Rotaract into Rotary as full partners and leaders.
Continue President Shekhar’s program to empower girls and women.
Continue the progress our organization has made to advance Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in everything that we do.
Continue and increase our efforts and make sure we provide every resource necessary to eliminate Polio.
Gordon has asked that we all take whatever steps we can to eliminate the stigma associated with Mental Illness. To create the circumstances where it is OK to be open and discuss the issue.
Gordon announced his theme for the Rotary Year ahead. “Create Hope in the World”. There are so many places in the world where due to war, conflict, famine and natural disasters, that many people have lost hope. By our efforts we can bring hope back to these people.
As Gordon has requested, we will increase our efforts in all the areas of focus, in the knowledge that we will make the world a better place and indeed in the process create hope in the world one step at a time.
I begin my journey with enthusiasm and a great sense of purpose and I know I can rely on you all to go with me.
Yours in Rotary,
John
John Burns District 7070 Governor, 2023-24
trevlac2@rogers.com
