District Governor's report for 2015 - 16

To the Assistant governors, thanks too for your commitment to the role, to the District chairs and champions and all the club Presidents your commitment throughout the year to be so willing to ensure district 9930 was the best we could make it, how this eased the workload during the year. 

 

The pleasurable part of the role as District Governor is the wonderful opportunity to meet with some amazing people in the clubs doing many great things. Thank you. 
Our RI World President Ravi (KR) Ravindran introduced us to our 2015-16 theme “Be a gift to the world” to all the District Governors to the  Rotary International Convention in San Diego where he set out his goals and aspirations for our year.  

What an easy theme to present and encourage to each club and did so many clubs pick up the theme with wonderful local and international projects. 
A summary of achievements follows: 

DISTRICT 9930 ROTARY HEALTH CHALLENGE 2015-16 
During my year I issued a challenge to all District clubs to develop a club “Rotary Health challenge” activity in their area to support Healthy activities and nutritious decisions and life style. About half the District Clubs took up the challenge which was great. At District Conference having called for nominations the winning club was Wairoa for their “Men’s Health” monthly activity schools and a large number of the residents in the community. It was a challenge for the independent judges to make a final decision, there were so many wonderful applications form the clubs. Some clubs have continued into the 2016-17 year with their projects. 
 

13 District Grant applications were received and subsequently awarded. 

MEMBERSHIP 
This is always a challenge, many clubs overlook this issue and fail to recognise its importance to survival. During the year two groups of 
clubs merged, firstly Taupo and Taupo Moana, now a new club named Lake Taupo Rotary and Gisborne West and Gisborne, now named Gisborne Rotary. Some areas need assistance to form Satellite clubs, an opportunity to grow.  

CLUB VISITS 
As I work full time as a commission earning Real Estate Salesperson I was very grateful to the good member of clubs who held combined “official” visits. We did however return to many clubs for special events. Thank you a lot for making both Helen and I so welcome. Clearly the club visits were a special highlight for us. 

R. I. ZONE 7B REPRESENTATIVE VISIT. 
In February we were honoured to have in our district the visit from our R.I. Zone Rep. Guiller Tumangan and his wife Letita. Sadly time did not permit Guiller to visit all areas of our district. To those clubs and Rotarians who worked to make their visit successful, thank you.

 
THE ROTARY FOUNDATION 
With Polio so very close to being eradicated, with many Rotarians just wishing we could complete this project very soon. District Chair Raewyn Kirkman worked tirelessly to increase contributions to the fund along with encouraging extra contributions to the Annual fund also. 

DISTRICT CONFERENCE We were delighted to have a very successful conference in Napier 6th to 8th May 2016 with 380 registration. My thanks to District Chair Ross Pinkham and the conference organiser Sue Page for providing a very entertaining and diverse programme that was very well received. 
Our Rotary International President’s representative was past R.I. Director, current R.I. Polio Plus Chair Aziz Menon. How privileged we were have Aziz and his charming wife with us. On Sunday the 8th we did the “formal” district change over to D.G.E.Keith Owens. The chain of office was returned so I could handover at the actual changeover in Tauranga on the 26th to Kieth. 
Most District awards were also presented at conference with the others presented at the District changeover. 
The following are the Awards. 
Significant Achievement- Taumarunui 
Outstanding Rotarian of the year- David Woodhouse 
Best Dressed club at conference- Matamata 
Conference Attendance- Kawerau 
Bulletin Award- Rotorua North 
Health Project- Wairoa 
Rotary Foundation- Gisborne Rotary 
 
DISTRICT TRAINING  
Having a professional trainer in Abi Buckle to lead the training team is a true blessing. 
Presidents Elect District chairs and champion, along with the District Training assembles and training at South Pacific Presidents Elect training puts massive pressure on Abi and her team. My very special thanks to this team. 
Added to the above we also had some successful R.L.I. days with a good number of Rotarians qualifying. 

SUMMARY 
During the year the District Governor Train of Immediate Past District Governor Paul Wright, District Governor Elect Keith Owens and District Governor Nominee Leone Tisch along with myself met on a regular basis to ensure we  had  positive continuity and positive Management. 
Finally two special thanks: 
 Firstly I thank all the District Rotarians for making this a successful and very memorable year in Rotary. As an extra special thanks to my club Ahuriri for your unselfish support. I believe we clearly did say to our communities that we honoured our 2015-16 theme of “BE A GIFT TO THE WORLD” 
Secondly and importantly I must thank Helen for the wonderful support during the 2015-16 year AND in the two preceding years. Helen clearly was committed to the role, who gave up many of her interests to support me during the year. 
Our style was different to the previous year but I believe we all had fun, we worked hard to represent District 9930 well. 
Thank you for the privilege. 
 
Mike Smith 
I.P.D.G. and Vice Governor 
District 9930