DG's life

One of the major aspirations of IPDG David Rankin and I has been the production of a Strategic Plan. A lot of work has gone on behind the scenes and, in this, we have had the able support and input of PDG Clive Bartram. The objective has been the production of the first District Strategic Plan for the District, covering the period from now until 2013. The wording chosen is very specific. It is not our Strategic Plan, it is not the Executive's Strategic Plan or even the 'District's' Strategic Plan. It will be the District Strategic Plan. We hope that every Club will have an input to the final version and that all Clubs, in due course, will sign up to this as a way ahead for the future. There is still some detail to be finalised but I hope that this Plan will be available for people to look at before too long. I regard this as the final link in the framework necessary for there to be a clear picture on how this District operates, and the close links between its 87 soon to be 88 Clubs. Already the Focus Group has looked at the positions and remits required for District Officers, and will shortly produce a document showing how they all link together and interact with the Clubs. During the course of the year, we have taken a long hard look at the costs of running the District and where possible these have been reduced. New methodologies are being embraced such as video meetings, which will not only further reduce costs but I hope will bring the Clubs even more closely together. In addition to greater clarity, I hope that this modernising agenda will lead to improved continuity, an awareness of the relevance of District's role in Rotary, and will encourage many more Rotarian's to put their names forward to serve in District positions. Change has been and always will be an essential part of Rotary. However, recent years may have seen a significant acceleration in this process of change. I am in no doubt that this is essential for District 1010 to maintain its position at the top of the tree.