My Rotary Family,I am proud to be a Rotarian! I am most honoured to be elected President of the Rotary Club of Garden City 2023-2024, and with the help and support of my enthusiastic Board and you our fellow Club members, we will do our best to deliver what promises to be an EPIC year.
Our club has been built on a strong and fierce leadership foundation, and I am fortunate to have a membership that is fully committed to the Rotary ideal of Service Above Self and continues to go the extra mile in building our young club, while carrying out the many worthwhile projects that we undertake for the benefit of our community.
As one of the newer clubs in District 7030, we are in a unique position where we are establishing ourselves, building our legacy, writing our history, leaving our footprints in the Rotary world all while, navigating the changing landscape post covid, being challenged by several obstacles. Some of which includes a rapidly expanding local business climate that in turn demands more of our time at work, this leads to a decline in the desire/time willing to be of service to others, and overall new and challenging community needs.
All this to say as Rotarians our efforts are needed more than ever, and we embrace the call of Rotary’s President 2023-2024 Gordon R McInally to “Create Hope in the World”.
Our goals for the new year are clear and focused on:
- Our Membership
- Continuity and Growth
The incoming Board in also keeping with our Strategic Plan, has proposed various undertakings with an aim of engaging and energising members, strengthening our administration i.e., adapting succession planning to ensure continuity in our leaders and growth by executing service projects with a particular focus on the environment, youth development, mental health, literacy, economic and community development, and peace and conflict resolution.
Annually we strive to attain citations at the highest level, both in the District and at a Rotary International level, we believe in letting our work speak for itself and this year is no different, we aim to repeat!
Foundation giving will always be a club priority, our targets are set, with a focus on new Paul Harris Fellows, additional Paul Harris Society Members, and Sustaining Members. Our club has a 100%-member participation rate, which means we ALL contribute, again we say thank you and we aim to repeat!
While our goals have been identified and the work has begun, we recognize that these goals are not attainable without you our members, our most valued asset. Equal attention will be given to the fellowship aspect of service life and there will be many opportunities for us to gather socially, and for us to grow as one unit. Details are listed in our calendar of activities.
In closing, let me take this opportunity to congratulate Immediate Past President Natasha and her Board for a successful year. I would also like to congratulate each of the new Board members. Our fellow club members have shown their confidence in us by electing us to our respective positions, and I look forward to serving with you. I am humbled and elated to serve as President of this E.P..IC. (Enthusiastic People Influencing Change) club.
My anticipation is that during the Rotary year 2023-2024 our club will firmly place its imprint on our community both at home and abroad.
Let's do so while we enjoy great fellowship as a Garden City family. We look forward to having “All Hands on Deck". Your board and I are eager to continue the work that has been started and together WE will make this a memorable year as we “Create Hope in the World”.