DG's Travels Week49

As a DG with commitments to all 88 Clubs in the District, I have sometimes struggled to do justice to, and be involved with every Club's activities. Nowhere is this more true than with my own Club, where at times I have been away for substantial periods and have certainly not attended as many of their functions as I would have liked. Accordingly, it was a great pleasure to be able to attend the 'end of term party' held by Dundee President Graham and his wife Joan. Both have had outstanding years, as Joan has also been President of Dundee Inner Wheel Club this year.Their time management must have been second to none. Both have initiated new activities as well as maintaining tried and tested events from previous years, which demonstrates better than words the value of regular change in the leadership of Rotary's various organisations. This change brings not only different personalities but new approaches which can revitalise Clubs on a regular basis.
It was also a very welcome opportunity to catch up with other Dundee Rotarians and to hear not only of achievements during the current year but their plans for the future. It will very soon be time to hit the road again, with Buckie, Tain and Oldmeldrum on the calendar for the coming week, for a variety of reasons. All these events will bring me into close touch with Rotarians all busy in achieving their many targets, which is something I have always enjoyed. I look forward to bringing readers up to date with these at the end of the week.

DG's Travels Week 48

We are at a time of the year when there are so many Rotary fund raising events, that good weather is always hoped for. However, the weather forecast last night, and the view out of my bedroom window early this morning, made me fear for the prospects of Abertay RC's Plant Sale. However, after a few early showers, the sun decided to shine on the righteous and dry weather with occasional sunshine took over. The Plant Sale was located at a prime site in the centre of Broughty Ferry. Certainly, when Daphne and I visited, they were doing a roaring trade, aided and abetted by a group of silven tongued Rotarians. I left with very high hopes that they would raise a handsome sum of money. One of the great pleasure of attending such occasions is the opportunity to meet up again with old Rotarian friends, some of whom date back for several decades. What is so nice is that none of them have lost their enthusiasm for the prime function of Rotary- to raise money for worthy causes and to enjoy good fun and fellowship in the process. It was also an occasion to meet up with some very new, or even about to be, Rotarians. To them , I wish every success and enjoyment in their membership. Abertay have always been in the forefront of the use of new technology and it was an sure indicator of this when I got home, to see that pictures of the occasion were already on their Website. Rupert Murdoch eat your heart out.

DG's Travels Week 48

Any past District Governor who claims that the last few weeks in office are quiet, must have been abroad! The activities are many but the fun times are great. Yesterday, Daphne and I attended the Inner Wheel Rally at Huntingtower Hotel near Perth. It was an occasion to meet again many of the ladies who I had met at various functions with their Rotarian partners.Despite the prophecies of doom from the weather experts, the weather gods were kind and the sun shone, at least for the reception, drinks and photographs. As it was shining when we departed, what happened to the weather in between was irrelevant. It was a superb occasion when District 1 Chairman Kay, and her District and Club colleagues, had the pleasure of welcoming Association President Pam Byford and the chairmen of many other Districts in the UK. They even managed to attract one delegate from America, from the sunshine state of Florida. After an excellent meal, we enjoyed many humourous messages of greetings from other parts of the UK. Pam's message was more serious, about the need to promote Inner Wheel and bring in younger members. To the often raised question that women in Rotary had harmed the numbers in Inner Wheel, most were of the view that this was not the case, as the two organisations attract people of different interests. However, both Pam and I are very much of the view that Rotary could do more to encourage membership of Inner Wheel among partners and female family members. This is very much in accord with the recent pronouncement from the Council on Legislation which encourages Rotarians to do just this. It was really enjoyable day, when Daphne and I were made most welcome, the company was really first class, and the ladies all looked at their glamorous best in their many wonderful outfits. There is no doubt that their presence always adds to any occasion. As one of only two men at the Rally, the other being President Andrew Grant of Auchterarder Rotary Club, I was always going to have a fantastic day.

DG's Travels Week 48

Even DGs are permitted some time off, and today Daphne and I set off early to catch the boat over to the Isle of May. This was something of a voyage of faith as I have tried on 5 previous occasions to make the trip, but been prevented from doing so by fog, wind, high seas, damage to the boat and so on. The rain was hammering down as we left Dundee and got even worse as we crossed Fife. It was still raining heavily when we reached Anstruther but the skipper decided to make the trip. It was still slightly wet and misty when we landed but, heading to the south of the island, it was not long before the sun broke through. The day very rapidly turned into one of perfection with sun, cloudless blue skies and wonderful close views of many different birds. These views were added to by sightings of grey seals and harbour porpoise on the journey back to the mainland.. For a day's relaxation, it was great but all too soon it was back home to e-mails, post to sort out, certificates to apply for, etc - it goes with the territory and will pass all too soon.

DG's Travels Week 48 aftermath

How quickly an evening of enjoyment and relaxation can change to something quite different. Heading north on the motorway to Dundee at a steady 65mph, I was on the point of overtaking a large lorry when a young lady suddenly appeared staggering out from the central reservation. She was only 16-17 and clearly out of her mind on drink or drugs, with no idea what she was doing. Every micro second of almost 50 years driving experience, often averaging over 40,000 miles /year, came into play as I sought to miss her, avoid hitting the side of the lorry and not overturn my own car in the process. Every warning light on the dashboard was flashing as the car's computer-aided system sought to help. I bless ABS and all the many other systems designed to make driving safer.By some miracle the car coming up behind me also missed her and in my rear view mirrors, I could see her staggering on to reach the west side of the road.
Doubtless she would have woken up the following morning feeling somewhat hungover, and totally oblivious of her close brush with death. All sorts of questions then pass through your mind. What was she doing there, who had plied her or allowed her to overdose on drink or drugs, why was no one looking after her, did her parents know where she was and what she was up to trying to cross such a dangerous road at that time of night. Overall, there was the thought that a young life could have been cut short far too soon and that, however blameless I might have been had I hit and fatally injured her, how difficult would I have found it to live with such a tragedy? I also have to ask what is so badly wrong with our culture that the young, and not so young, only seem to get any enjoyment by going out to deliberately finish an evening out of their minds on drink or drugs. Is it too much money too early in life, uncaring parenets or simply a society with totally misplaced values.
The one real crumb of comfort is the thought of the endeavours of so many Rotarians to warn young people of the perils of such substances, and their work to involve them in groups which care about standards, care about each other and care about society. However, my final thought is that what about the next time for the young lady? Will she be confronted by a less experienced driver or one with slower reflexes, or will she simply have staggered that bit further to make a fatal collision inevitable? Is there any way in which such an outcome can be avoided? It was a very sobbering thought.

DG's Travels Week 48

I will have many happy memories of my DG year not least of which will be attending various social functions including Charter Dinners. On Friday night, Daphne and I had the pleasure of attending the Charter Dinner of Dunfermline Carnegie where the warmth of welcome and the hospitality were superb. It seems such a short time since their formation that it was hard to believe that this was their 7th Charter celebration. We were welcomed by an excellent musical quartet, more of which later. The meal was really excellent and we enjoyed various toasts and addresses, including that from RIBI President Nominee, John Minhinick. At the end of this, we had further formal musical entertainment from the quartet who then decided that some audience participation was desirable. How hard is it to count to 7 before you clap hands? This was then followed by some real hands on music from untutored but willing performers on the kazoo, the duck call, the siren and the cymbols, ably led by President Jim Slater. It is a tribute to their efforts that the rest of us could actually recognise the tune. It was an all round, excellent evening and I was delighted to see a number of the Presidents from surrounding Clubs in attendance.

DG's Travels Week 47

Moving on from one new thing to another, my next port of call, after officially ending the probation period for the new Rotary Club of Central Buchan, was to see some of the young people in action at the trials for Street Football and, hopefully for some, participation in the Homeless World Cup. This is a new initiative which I cannot speak too loudly about. It seeks to establish a new framework and a purpose in life for young people who, for a variety of reasons, have lost their bearings. Family bereavement, often involving a much loved parent, and loss of employment are just two of the possible reasons for this. Through being involved with this organisation, the participants make new friends, learn or improve skills, develop teamwork, become fitter and regain confidence. For the best and most committed players, the ultimate target is a place in the Scotland side for the Street Football World Cup. This started off in a small way with only two countries involved, soon grew to eight teams and continues to expand to the stage when most major footballing countries are involved. It is amazingly competitive, great skill is on show and the event is played out in front of large crowds. For Rotary Clubs interested in supporting such a worthwhile scheme, a starting point is the provision of Football Boxes which contain strips, balls, etc, sufficient to equip a team. At £500 each, these are a really good investment for an often neglected section of our young people.

DG's Travels Week 47

Last night's travels took me back up to the north east of the District, together with Extension Officer PDG Bill Leslie, to visit the Rotary Club of Central Buchan. For me, it was a chance to visit them again on their 'own patch', my previous meeting with them having been a joint one with the Peterhead Club in Peterhead. For Bill, it was a chance to re-visit the Club with which he had been so involved, in bringing them into existence. One of the main reasons for being there was to cast the Club loose from their probationary period, during which they retained a very close relationship with their parent Club of Peterhead. I hope that they will continue to have this relationship but the Club is now free to chart its own direction. The Central Buchan Club has enjoyed a very successful first year, with excellent fund raising, good social events and the introduction of further new members. Above all, they are still the same well-knit, happy group which I first got to know some fourteen months ago. I wish them every success for the future. One of the duties of a DG is to judge various competitions, something which can induce serious trepidation to say the least. Last night was no different when I had to judge the 'most outrageous tie' competition, part of the Club's fund raising activities. With a well preserve sense of survival, one's frequent and initial reaction is to determine the whereabouts of the quickest exit. However, the event was conducted in a very good spirit and I was not lynched for my comments on some of the more way-out ties. It simply served to show yet again, the wonderful fellowship which exists in Rotary

DG's Travels Week 47

The first very clear indication of the beckoning year end for a District Governor is the District Assembly, where the team for the Rotary year ahead lays out its plans. These are then cascaded down to Club Assemblies for the benefit of all Rotarians. The topics covered this year included everything from PolioPlus to youth activities. I was impressed by both the detail and the enthusiasm for the year ahead, with the new strap line of Building Communities, Building Continents. It was also an opportunity for me to announce the successful Clubs for the Literacy Awards and Presidential Citations. In addition, it was the first occasion when any 1010 District Governor had been able to present the Connecticut Trophy for international achievement, which I in turn had received at the RIBI Conference in Bournemouth. Many Clubs and Rotarians have contributed to the District's success and it was a great pleasure to acknowledge this. The Assembly is also an occasion when the DG has the opportunity to hear about the latest fund-raising activities of Clubs and individual Rotarians, and an opportunity to get to know some of the more interesting characters involved, such as Fergus the Bear from the Rotary Club of Dunfermline Carnegie(photographs to follow).