Dear Friends, The month of December brings us all the holidays and the end of the calendar year. It is a wonderful time to review your Rotary goals for 2018-2019 and plan what you still hope to accomplish over the remaining six months. It is also a time to look at end of year support for The Rotary Foundation if you have yet to make a personal gift. The District Rotary Foundation Committee has sent every Rotarian a message about Annual Program support. We are indeed fortunate that an anonymous donor has challenged us to increase individual support of The Rotary Foundation with a commitment to match every December gift until $25,000 of new donations are in hand. That is a $50,000 opportunity that goes a long way toward our district goal. This month the focus is on Rotary’s Public Image. This Saturday, December 8th, our district committee under the tutelage of DGE Ray Freaney will be exploring the topic for two hours beginning at the Raritan Valley Community College Conference Center. We hope to see many clubs’ Public Relations chairs there as well as other interested Rotarians. Remember, Public Image is one of the new district’s strategic initiatives. Consult the website for more information. Late last month the initiative to End Hunger Now held a kickoff at Raritan Valley Community College. There will be two joint efforts in March to package 400,000 meals. The first is at Drew University on Saturday, March 9th and the second will be at Raritan Valley Community College on Saturday, March 30th. The organizing committee, centered around the Branchburg and Madison Rotary Clubs, is seeking volunteers to attend the events and clubs and individuals to support the event financially. The District 7475 website (www.njrotary.org) has all the details you need to participate. In looking at the 2019 calendar, please begin thinking about our District Conference, May 3 to 5 in Gettysburg. Promotion will start in January. We have 100 rooms allocated to our district so an early decision will guarantee you an opportunity to attend. I am sure the event will continue the tradition of good conference gatherings for all attendees. That wraps us the December letter. Best wishes to you and your families for a joyous holiday season and a healthy and prosperous 2019! Cordially, John |