December Message From District Governor Don

December is Family of Rotary month and this is when we can really make people aware of what we do in Rotary. Rotarians around the world have come to the aid of the victims in the Philippines which was ravaged by Typhoon Haiyen. Many clubs have offered not only financial support, but they have provided ShelterBoxes, food, water, medicines and clothing. Be proud that you are a Rotarian!

The idea of the family of Rotary is a simple one, and one that we celebrate every December during Family Month. Every Rotarian is part of the Rotary family, but our family is much larger than just our 1.2 million members. The family of Rotary includes every one of the men, women, and children who are involved in our work: the spouses and children of our members, our Rotary Foundation program participants and alumni, and all of those who are part of our programs, in the tens of thousands of Rotary communities around the world. The youngest generation of the Rotary family is composed of our Rotaract clubs and Interact clubs, the participants in our Rotary Youth Leadership Awards program, our Global Scholars, and our more than 8,000 Rotary Youth Exchange students every year. As in any family, our youth are our brightest promise for the future. Of course, it is my sincere wish that many of these young people go on to become Rotarians in good time. But Rotary is a part of them even today, and they are a part of us. Remember to Engage Rotary/Change Lives!