During my visits I have been impressed with the engagement of the clubs in membership development, community service, and advancing the public image of Rotary. Those three activities will be key in our district throughout this year. They coincide with Rotary's strategic plan to strengthen the clubs, increase humanitarian service, and enhance the public image of Rotary. Our district is off to a great start.
This summer has been a busy one. The Rotary Youth Leadership Academy at Drew University brought together high school students from throughout the district to learn about leadership and to work together to achieve goals and objectives. The Japan Exchange, a tradition for almost four decades, has seen 28 high school students from every corner of our district travel to Japan for three weeks under the tutelage of David and Diane Beni of the Maplewood Rotary Club. A reciprocal group from Japan will be with us at the end of this month and will be treated to homestays and visits to New York City, Philadelphia, and the Jersey shore. Perhaps they will be visiting your club during their time here.
Well, we have covered a lot of territory in three weeks and we have much more to cover together in the ensuing months. Please mark your calendars for Rotary Service Day at Camp Merry Heart for disabled children on August 8th. A month later on September 8th the District Foundation Committee will play host to a Foundation Seminar at the Pines Manor. In October, RI President Barry Rassin is here to help celebrate the 90th Anniversary of the West Orange Rotary Club where the focus will be on the campaign to End Polio. Eat, Drink and Share will follow on November 12th and more Rotary dates are in the making so follow the District website. One future event you might want to start planning for now is the 2019 District Conference to be held May 3rd to 5th in Gettysburg. It is the first time for all of us to get together socially and we will be joined by our colleagues from District 7490.
Let me close by sharing with you Rotary's new vision statement unveiled in January at the International Assembly. It says a lot about why we all participate in Rotary.
TOGETHER, WE SEE A WORLD WHERE PEOPLE UNITE AND TAKE ACTION TO CREATE LASTING CHANGE---ACROSS THE GLOBE, IN OUR COMMUNITIES, AND IN OURSELVES.
I hope you are enjoying a great summer.
Cordially,
John B. Wilson, DG
