Dear Fellow Rotarians of District 6510,

Rotary Shares has been chosen as this year's theme by Wilfrid J. Wilkinson, 2007-08 President of Rotary International. Each year, we as Rotarians are encouraged to focus our effort as individuals in our clubs and districts by the international theme. That means that during Rotary Year 2007-08, we, along with Rotarians all over the world, have been challenged to share our time, share our talents, our money, and to share our kindness through our Rotary involvement. President Wilf has said, "In Rotary, sharing does not mean giving away what we have to spare, what you don't need for yourself. Sharing means giving of yourself, selflessly, for the good of others." We have the opportunity to share Rotary in many ways. We can show Rotary Shares through our club service because our clubs are the hands of Rotary. We can show Rotary Shares through vocational and community service because Rotarians make a difference. We must do our best to make our Rotary presence known so that people will say, "This is the good work that Rotary does." Then perhaps, they too will join in our work. We can show Rotary Shares to young people. We need to help develop the next generation of responsible, ethical, and volunteer-minded people who will be ready to be the next generation of Rotarians in our clubs.

In District 6510, each of our club presidents have been challenged by RI President Wilf to sponsor a new member. I, likewise as District Governor, have challenged all District Leadership to sponsor a new Rotarian. Perhaps the most important thing we can do for Rotary is to share Rotary with a new member. Membership growth and retention are the only ways Rotary will remain strong enough to serve a second century.

District 6510 has a very specific way to show Rotary Shares through international service this year. Our clubs and Rotarians can help provide needed dental care to children of the Bidar area in Rotary International District 3160, India. Our District has partnered with the Rotary Club of Basavakalyan to purchase and equip a mobile dental clinic van, which will make dental care available to children who would otherwise not receive it. I, as District Governor and a dentist, am asking Rotarians in District 6510 to support this effort financially through giving to the Annual Programs Fund of our Rotary Foundation.

This year, let us be the best Rotarians we can be and work to make our individual Rotary Club the best Rotary Club it can be. As President Wilf has said, "Let us show Rotary Shares because Rotarians care. Rotary Shares because Rotarians know the needs. Rotary Shares because Rotarians provide "Service Above Self."

Harry

Harry Henderson
District Governor 2007-2008
Rotary Club of Sparta
Home: 618-443-4866
harryhenderson@verizon.net
District Governor Bio