As I write my final message to you, I am preparing to depart for the Rotary International Convention in Hamburg. Thirty-eight of our district Rotarians are registered. I am excited to have an opportunity to share time and fellowship with close to 40,000 Rotarians from around the world. Regardless of different languages and cultures, Rotarians share a common desire to change lives. Attendance at an international convention, more than anything else for me, gives me an appreciation of the reach and possibilities of Rotary. I leave refreshed and reinforced that together we can give others hope that there can be a better day tomorrow despite all the tragedy we read about in the media. There are a lot of caring people in the world. Lives are changed one person at a time.
Seven new global grants have been launched by district clubs this year. Many of your clubs partnered with the host clubs. Grants include water projects, renovation of a girl’s school, and installation of medical diagnostic equipment in Mexico. These projects will change lives. Over forty of our clubs have undertaken DAP grants. Local clubs know best the needs of their communities. Five students received vocational scholarships of $5,000 each. We have a global grant scholar with a civil engineering degree that is studying hydrology in the Netherlands. Her goal is to use her education to plan water and sanitation projects in Africa.
These grants, both local and global, are possible only because of your generous support of The Rotary Foundation. District 5870 organizationally is part of a paired zone with 22 districts for training purposes. Only twice has one of these districts exceeded annual fund giving of over $600,000. Both times, it has been District 5870, years 2013-14 and 2016-17. We have already reached that level again and it appears we will exceed our previous record. Support of our Foundation is about more than just raising money; it is about having the financial resources to change lives. I thank you for your generosity and open hearts.
This year you have inspired me. The breath of projects and community involvement from our Rotarians is overwhelming. I am so proud of you. You have been warm and welcoming. I am truly humbled to have been your district governor this year. DGE Jim Henry will take the helm of the District July 1. Jim is well prepared and will provide leadership continuity. Yes, it’s a new Rotary year, but our shared vision to give back to our local communities and globally continues. I wish each of you the very best.
Jerry Chapman
District Governor, 2018-19