Message from DG Peter Ewing
The month of August is themed for Membership. A hearty welcome to all our new members in the Rotary Clubs of District 5450, especially those new members of e-Club One who joined our district on July 1st. Mary Jean and I were honored to meet these former members of Sydney CBD club, whilst guests in their beautiful country. On behalf of District 5450, I extend a special thank you to all Aussies for the wonderful hospitality shown to Rotarians from all over the world during their International Convention in Sydney.
The second theme for this month is Extension. We are doubly blessed to be celebrating our newest club, the Rotary Club of Platteville, whose Charter Night will be August 29, 2014. Please join us as we celebrate this new club and welcome them into the Family of Rotary. It is a tradition for clubs of the district to provide a gift, during charter night. Most helpful would be either a cash gift or a gift card to Russell Hampton. A special thanks to PDG Karen Sekich for her hard work in bringing this new club to a successful birth. She will be their Charter President and thus begins her second trip up the ladder of leadership. Might District Governor II be in her future?!
The month of July has been a whirlwind of activity for Mary Jean and me, beginning with transition ceremonies and celebrating the tradition of new Rotary Leadership. Especially moving for me was my own swearing in as your leader this year by PDG Dan Himelspach. I am so appreciative of this opportunity. All club transitions are special as we continue the great traditions in our district. Before beginning the Area Assemblies, I will visit all the smaller and distant clubs to reinforce their importance to all of us. Wray Rotary Club was the first to welcome Mary Jean and me. They are so active in their community. We felt very welcomed and enjoyed meeting the new Superintendent of Schools, a new member of Wray Rotary Club! Unfortunately we didn’t have time to enjoy their lovely community pool, so inviting on a hot July afternoon!
So far, twelve club visits, visits to RYLA PLUS, RYLA and YoungRYLA, a weekend at Rotary International Headquarters for a PETS planning, Zone 27 Institute and many other meetings have kept us occupied. But the warm Rotary welcome has made this experience very fulfilling. We look forward to every opportunity to meet the incredible Rotarians of District 5450 who are about LIGHTING UP ROTARY. Thank you all for what you do to make this world a better place!
Peter Ewing DG