A Message from the District Governor

print this page

District Governor Alan Cain, 2011-2012 - Governor's Message

As we Rotarians and clubs consider the challenge put before us by 2011-2012 RI President Kalyan Banerjee to "Reach Within to Embrace Humanity", we have opportunity to examine our own individual reasons for being in Rotary, what we have to offer to our clubs, and what we can do to individually and collectively make a difference in the world.

President Banerjee has three areas of focus he wants us to consider in our Rotary year of service. First is the family, as within the family lies the foundation and development of peaceful lives which transfers to the community and the world beyond. Second is a focus on continuity; preserving what we do well in our clubs, our communities, and beyond. Proven practices should be retained, not recreated. As practices are examined for efficiency, relevancy, and results, and are found to be wanting, the third area of focus comes into view: change. Not change for the sake of change, but change that is driven by bold and constructive examination of what we do, how we could do it better and, in particular, change driven by our honest assessment of our clubs performance and relevance. Mahatma Ghandi says it best: "Be the change you want to see in the world".

It is entirely fitting and relevant that Rotary officially has a Fifth Avenue of Service in New Generations. Previously known in District 5190 as "Youth Services" and addressed through Vocational Services, Rotarians have the opportunity to help instill ideals of service, core values, and ethics into the persons of our future. Let's not fail to do that.

District 5190, while attending to the ongoing health and development of the district through membership development and retention, through more and better club assemblies and member orientations, through healthy Foundation support and participation; will strive to achieve two special goals this year. First is a combination of Rotary's Rule Number 1, "Have Fun!" with further development of "The Family of Rotary". What activities can your club create or maintain that brings Rotarians together with their spouses and partners, their children or grandchildren? Rotarians can easily keep so busy in service to others that they lose quality time with their loved ones. We need to make a conscious effort to involve our families in Rotary activities that create fun and fellowship. To that end there will be two district level activities in the coming year which will offer both opportunity for family fun and raising funds for our End Polio Now campaign. The first will be "Rotary Day at the Reno Aces" on August 21, and the second will be "Rotary Getaway at the Likely Links and RV Park", the weekend of June 23, 2012.

The second special goal deals with focus on New Generations and will be best demonstrated through the 2012 District Conference theme "Back to the Future in Rotary". Our Rotary past will be brought forward as we look to our amazing future and celebrate, today, those who will participate in it. Being held at John Ascuagas' Nugget in Sparks, May 18-20, the conference will feature dynamic speakers, recognition, and celebration.

A number of significant accomplishments await the Rotarians of District 5190 in the year ahead. They include the successful completion of the Bill and Melinda Gates Polio Plus Challenge. It is evident that we will exceed the goal established for our district by RI for the three year challenge. Way to go, District 5190! Remember, we are "this close" to the eradication of the crippling and deadly disease from the face of the earth. We cannot back off until the job is done.

Another significant activity will be the inclusion in district trainings and programs of the four Rotary clubs in the Bishop and Mammoth areas. These four clubs will become a part of District 5190 officially on July 1, 2012, but there is a lot of preparation during the current year. Let's all show our incoming Rotarians how much we welcome them into our district family.

The 2012 Group Study Exchange will be a two-way exchange with District 4310, Sao Paulo, Brazil, in April and May. Recruitment of the team leader and members will soon be underway for this once in a lifetime opportunity. Be sure to get the word out in your communities for the opportunity available to young professionals.

Getting the Rotary word out to our communities will be another focus of this Rotary year. Under strong leadership, our skilled Public Relations Committee will leverage our PR grant and district matching dollars to secure a variety of media venues. Watch for Rotary's image on a billboard, TV station, or radio station near you. Rotary clubs can and will use local media to showcase their projects and activities to their particular communities.

Our 2011-2012 Rotary club presidents have set Foundation and Membership goals that reflect their belief that "reaching higher" is something that can and should be done. It will be an exciting year for District 5190 as we work together to fulfill the Object of Rotary through selfless acts of service.

Alan Cain
District Governor, 2011-2012
Rotary District 5190