District Governor John Heise
Posted by David Lowery
on Aug 30, 2011
District Governor John Heise
By David
Lowery
John
started by emphasising that Club membership Worldwide, is now a big issue.
Japan has lost many members, The USA has lost many members overall, in spite of
many new clubs being formed. Our own District has lost 288 members, although
there was a small gain of 24 members last year. Membership retention is an
issue for us all to be concerned about and should be a focus of each Club.
Fellowship among members , helps to retain members. Every Club is encouraged to
increase membership, and hopefully attracting more female membership because of
the natural diversity of skills and interests that they bring.
A
one percent increase (or decrease) of membership in North America, results in a
$600,000 change in money generated. Our Club was congratulated by John for
being an above average supporter of Rotary International.
A
focus of Rotary International, is World Peace, that will benefit our grandkids
and the generations to follow. So much of the World is still starving and good
Water, Food and Sanitation is needed in so many places. Nor should we forget
that such needs are also great at home, as well as overseas. Rotary aims are
now shifting from a Project basis, to a Program basis, to help improve Living
and Learning conditions Overseas.
The
Polio Plus program is achieving success in many Countries. The last case in
India was reported on January 17, this year. Biological tests are showing that
in areas
infected until recently, that the
virus is not now present in raw sewage. In one state alone in India,
vaccinations were required for 500,000 new births in one year. The logistics of
administering an effective vaccination
Program are huge. There were 612 Polio Cases worldwide last year, and so far
this year the number is down to 300 cases. The last case of Polio is now
expected within the next 18 months. We will then be living in a World free for
the first time from Polio, and this success will have been significantly aided
by Rotary.
Wayne
Massey thanked John for his Talk, and then perfect attendance pins were awarded
to :-
Joe
Geddes, Wayne Massey, Cathy Starodub, Harold Gruneberg, George Gould and Carl
Fraser.
Shirley
Molloy presented John Heise with a Cheque for $7500 for Rotary International.
Sharon
Lacey presented Sandie Heise with flowers, to end an interesting meeting.