This coming Wednesday, 18th of July 2023, it is time to celebrate our Rotary Club and how far we have come.
Every President and Board member in our 63-year history has devoted their time, skill and energy to the leadership of our club to make a positive difference in the world. Each new President brings goals and aspirations designed to make their Club relevant in their community, but it takes the whole Club to realise these goals.
Changeover is an important event for every Club member to celebrate the past year and show commitment to success in the coming year. It is a time for members to change roles and move closer to projects that excite them. Step up the learning ladder, develop new skills and use those skills to make an impact. It is time to show that you are proud of your Club's achievements and want to be present in future successes.
Our incoming President is David Anderson. David is a new Rotarian who is not swayed by tradition. He will lead the Club differently, which is an exciting prospect.
I hope you will be part of welcoming David Anderson as our new President!
I hope you will be there to thank the Past Presidents for their service and all the Board members who served under them. I hope you are there to celebrate every Club Member who worked hard to make amazing things happen. From doing our administration, running our projects, organising our speakers and program, writing our bulletin and Facebook posts, taking our photographs, delivering our art screens, getting involved in our community, working with other Rotarians and the many other things our vibrant Club has to offer. I hope you will be there to support the incoming Board and be there to support each other.
Rotary is like Aunts and Uncles, but our Club is where our family is. We have set a place for you to celebrate with us! https://rotaryberwick.org/event/rc-berwick-changeover/
The Rotary International presidential changeover takes place in the president’s office at Rotary One, the Rotary International administrative headquarters, in, Evanston, Chicago, with only the outgoing and incoming presidents present with their families as witness! Every district and every club has the choice of how they celebrate. Presidents can pass the collar to each other, invite a Rotarian who bears significance in their life to officiate or invites a special Rotary dignitary to perform the presidential induction.
The event can be themed, held over a meal, carried out as part of a normal general meeting, or, like the Rotary Nomads, can be a weeklong celebration away in their caravans together!
In the Rotary Club of Berwick, it is tradition to celebrate with members, partners and invited guests over a special evening dinner function. Next Wednesday is the night of nights!
Why is 1 July the beginning of the Rotary Year?
Initially the date of the Rotary Convention determined the start date of the Rotary administrative and fiscal year. In 1910 the first Rotary Convention was held on 18 August, with the beginning of the year commencing the day after! In 1911, the board of directors ordered a financial audit of the Association of Rotary Clubs’ finances, with the auditors recommending 30th June. As the end of the Rotary fiscal and administrative year to allow time for the treasurer to prepare financial statements for the upcoming convention in August. . Conventions were later moved to late May to avoid the American summer heat!
The term Rotary Year has been used to signify Rotary’s annual administrative period since 1913.
Let’s show the four past presidents who have administered our club our gratitude and support and congratulate and celebrate incoming president Dave’s decision to lend us his time and skill to lead us forward.
If you haven’t booked, it’s not too late!
Go to https://rotaryberwick.org/event/rc-berwick-changeover/, events page, and follow the links!