DG New Year's message

Posted

on Jan 03, 2016

NEW YEAR MESSAGE FROM DG FELIX STUBBS

Dear Rotary Family,

Happy New Year!

“And now we welcome the new year, full of things that have never been”
~Rainer Maria Rilke

We are at that moment in time when we begin a new year and say goodbye to the old year. The world will recount, in vivid details, the main stories of 2015. Many of those stories will focus on terror and fear and war. The stories will highlight what is wrong with the world. I ask you, "What's good in the world?".

Let us announce and publish the main story of Rotary District 7020 for 2015: we did good in the world. As Carla and I travelled around the District, we observed persons, from all walks of life, speaking different languages, engaged in different vocations, doing good under the Rotary banner. We engaged our communities, mentored the youth, provided safe housing, built water wells and sanitation infrastructure, fed the hungry, clothed the poor, cared for the elderly, educated future generations, provided economic opportunities, resolved conflicts, facilitated medical interventions.....I could go on and on. These are the stories that should be our focus and our motivation to continue. They may not be the main stories in the news over the next few days but I guarantee you that they will be the main stories in the hearts of those touched by our service. They will be the main stories for generations to come. Our acts of good in the world are what will counter the acts of wrong in the world.

Carla and I also observed that we are one big family. Rotarians are hospitable and kind - that has been our experience. We may not always agree on the method of doing things, but we do agree on the outcome - Service. And we know, first-hand, that our District has fun! Let us continue to inspire each other in providing Service Above Self.

We faced many challenges along the way and conquered them. That should give us the confidence and the motivation to move forward knowing that together we can overcome any challenges that lie ahead. What are the "things that have never been" that we will do in 2016? Will we invite other hands as members into Rotary to join us? At the end of 2016, what will we look back and see - what would our legacy be?

Let us therefore enter 2016 with new resolve and complete confidence. I urge you to continue to Be a Gift to The World. Let us build on our past achievements and move from Success to Significance. The world is counting on us to make it so.

Felix N Stubbs