First Diary Invitation for 2013-2014!

Congratulations to the Rotary Club of Loddon Vale on their planning ahead.  Just received my first official diary invitation to join them in celebrating their 40th anniversary in November 2013.  Clearly my sort of club - I look forward to joining them then.

Excelling in Public Speaking

When you were 12, or even 16, would you have voluntarily made a speech in front of strangers, in a competition?  No, well neither would I.  But last night I watched 7 teams of young people, 3 teams in the 12-14 age group and 4 in the 15-18 age group do exactly that.  The occasion was the local heat of “Youth Speaks”, a public speaking competition for young people organised by my Rotary Club (Elthorne-Hillingdon) in conjunction with the other clubs in our Borough (Pinner, Ruislip-Northwood  & Uxbridge).

Stiff competition was provided in both age groups, with Swakeleys School (above L) triumphing in the Intermediate section and Harefield Academy (L) in the Seniors.  But really, everyone competing was a winner – to have the courage to take part and to conquer the nerves that always accompany public speaking was a feat in itself.

Well done all of them!

Venue Hunting

Just off to see what may well be our choice for the Rotary International District 1090 Conference for 2014. Where we going? Well you'll just have to wait and see! (or sea - clue!)

(Weather was gorgeous - very picturesque!)

Making Up & Meeting a Fellow DGN!

Visiting the Rotary Club of Vashon Island (Washington State, USA) this morning, delighted to find that the speaker was my fellow DGN, Ezra Teshome from District 5030. Ezra talked of the tremendous work that 5030 has been doing in providing wells for 28 villages in Erza's native Ethiopia. Vashon Rotary are separately working for clean water in Guatemala and are sponsoring climbers on a Mount Rainier climb in August.

Forward Planning - for 2014?

Amazing how far ahead you have to plan these days - we've just had a first get together for our Conference Committe for 2014 - yes, nearly three years away - great bunch of people - looking forward to working with all of them - and thanks to Chairman Jean for hosting us all - what a star!

Gobsmacked!

I suspect I'm one of many Rotarians for whom the award of a Paul Harris Fellowship comes as a complete surprise, little short of a shock as a matter of fact. A particular honour coming from my fellow club members for which I feel undeserving -now all I have to do is live up to it! Many thanks to all the members of RC Elthorne-Hillingdon for recognising me in this way.

Conference 2014 - Already?

Been out looking at venues for 1090 Conference - where have we been? where are we off to next? well that's a secret! Will let you know when we've come to a decision.