From District Governor Dan Christianson

July - A Month of Changes

As I sit writing this article, I am reminded about changes in the world around us.  Every day there are political and economic changes that affect the world. We are looking at serious climate changes that will affect us now and in the future. Changes in how we conduct our business, communicate with each other and educate our children to name a few.

Rotary is no different. July 1st of every year triggers a change in Rotary, from the local club level to the RI president’s office.

This is a bitter sweet time in Rotary. Just as we become familiar with our leadership on all levels and begin to understand the theme for the year it changes. This is what keeps Rotary fresh. New leaders with new ideas and a new theme to guide us but always keeping one theme in the forefront “Service Above Self.”

By the time you read this, Ron Burton will be the new RI President. “Engage Rotary---Change Lives” will be the new theme and a new slate of officers on the International, District and Club level will have been installed.

We bit farewell to our past leadership and thank them for a job well done. To our new leaders I say “Engage Rotary ---Change Lives.” If we want to see Rotary grow we need to make some changes in how we operate on the club and district level.  We will talk more about this when I visit your clubs.

In just a few days my wife and I will leave for the 2013 Rotary International Convention in Lisbon, Portugal.  We will gather with 20,000 other Rotarians from around the world.   It is going to be a great experience.

In closing I wish you all success in the new Rotary Year. Remember these three key items:  

• Engage Rotary
• Stick Your Neck Out
• Think Outside the Box.