Visit from Alan Walters, District Governor

September 15, 2009: Alan Walters, our District Governor from Pawley’s Island, SC, visited the Charleston clubs this week to give us a “state of our district” update and to let us know what the next year will bring for all Rotarians.

Walters attended the annual District Governor’s conference in San Diego and was able to not only visit with all 532 Rotary Governors from all over the world, but also meet Rotary’s new President, John Kenny. Instead of avoiding the obvious, Walters opened with the difficulty Rotary is experiencing right now. It’s tough right now and will probably continue to be as the economy sits in a less than ideal spot. While things seem to be improving slowly, it is a fact that Rotary has lost members over the last year. Our organization is based on active and strong membership, the clubs can’t help but suffer when it’s down.

The good news, our District Governor and President, have great things planned for this year and believe that what is planned is achievable. “The future of Rotary is in YOUR hands”, says President John Kenny. Now, more than ever, we will individually make a difference on the successfulness of our organization this year.

There are a few goals we all need to keep in our minds as we move forward. Rotarians are known world-wide as givers and community supporters, for the club is not intended to be a social club. This club is about service and that is where our efforts should be focused this year. A few years ago, with the help of Bill Gates, Rotary took on the big challenge of doing everything it could to eradicate Polio. We’ve made great strides towards this goal, but we’re not done yet. Not only is it vital to those in danger of contracting Polio that we complete this mission, but it’s vital to Rotary’s reputation as a strong organization that finishes what it starts. How can we take on new goals and challenges if we don’t complete the ones from the past? How can we count on someone like Bill Gates to support our endeavors if we leave work unfinished?

This year will be about service and hard work. All members should focus on not only getting involved, but each of us need to take on raising membership. We are all Rotarians because we were asked to be, it’s our turn to get out there and ask qualified and able prospects to join us for lunch and see if our organization is a fit for them. If we grow our clubs, we are better able to take on the challenges Rotary is known for world-wide, service above self.

Reported by Darby Siegel, Keyway Committee