Thank you DIC Chair PP Alex Eow for giving me this opportunity to pen a message to all my fellow Rotarians at the start of this Rotary Year with the Rotary theme “Making a Difference to humanity by what Rotarians have already carried out and will be carrying out”.
Before I made the bold decision to offer myself as a candidate for the District Governor 2017-18 a post in which some have considered it as “crazy”, I went through a few weeks of soul searching. I pondered whether “to do or not to do” that is whether I should take it easy as an ordinary Rotarian at club level or whether I should go beyond my comfort zone by expanding my role to the District level which will involve personal sacrifices. I am glad to say that the rest is history now!
As I embark on my Rotary journey as your DG 2017-18 the thought of “service above self” rings louder in my head now. My introduction to Rotary came about in 1970 when I became an Interactor. Since then I have always steadfastly held on to this motto since then. I am always prepared to work together with all of you to serve humanity and make a difference to their lives be it at club, district or international level.
I like to take this opportunity to thank my fellow Rotarians for giving me this chance in a life time to continue serving humanity on a bigger scale.
I am very fortunate to be able to assemble a very dedicated and experienced team consisting of District Assistant Governors, various District Chairs, District General Secretary, Deputy DGS, Treasurer and other committee members to work with me as one united team. They will be given training by our District Training Team master trainers who will also share during regional seminars the knowledge and experiences which we have gained.
Furthermore, the current crop of club Presidents, Secretaries and Treasurers have already completed their training under a new set of Pre-PETs and PETS training modules prepared by our very experienced District Training team trainers.
I am confident such new approach in training will bring positive results to your clubs and the district in the long run. This is what we at the district level are hoping for and aiming to do for our clubs and district. I urge all of you to support the DTT training modules which we will make changes from feed back received as we move on each year.
Meanwhile, Rotary Central is also undergoing major changes which will make it more user friendly. It will incorporate more Rotary information which will benefit all of you who care to log in to obtain up to date Rotary information, to contribute ideas, to meet other Rotarians with similar interest, etc. The revamped platform can be accessed in mid-July 2017 after the upgrading exercise has been fully completed.
Together as a team we will take our District to greater height in increasing our membership, raising TRF contribution, enhancing Rotary image and in carrying out more humanitarian service projects.
Naomi and myself will travel to all 68 clubs or more to meet and discuss on how we can carry out more humanitarian projects through our DDF and Global Grants and to renew friendship and enjoy fellowship with all of you and your charming spouses.
Together we will make a difference in this Rotary year 2017-18.
Enjoy Rotary.
Datuk Lee Chuen Wan JP