January 2012
Welcome!
Located in Southern California, District 5320 has 45 clubs with 2,000 members all located within 30 miles of each other, in Orange County and the best part of Los Angeles County.
Happy New Year!
Another year has come and gone and we’re already halfway through the Rotary year. It seems like the older I get the faster time flies. What’s that about? It just doesn’t seem fair. What an outstanding six months it has been. When we talk about “Reaching Within to Embrace Humanity” what’s amazing in our district is you just keep reaching and exceeding all expectations.
Rotary District 5320 Rotarian’s have created permanent change in our family. You have given your First Lady something very special. Val has found her passion and it was right in front of our eyes all along. She has opened up her heart to our troops and their families and you have been the catalyst for teaching the both of us how and why to keep reaching within ourselves.
A few updates on our recent efforts: We asked our Presidents, spouses and the attendees of the December Presidents’ meeting to bring a gift for a child and pack of diapers that we would deliver to the troops and their families at Camp Pendleton. Additionally, one of our customers had 10,000 pounds of brand new dressers and wardrobes that they couldn’t sell and donated it all to the troops. We added to that some used furniture and the diapers and presents from the Presidents’ Meeting and delivered them to Camp Pendleton on Wednesday, December 14th.
In a recent phone conversation with the customer who donated the furniture I learned that their company would like to continue to find ways to help out. They may be able to offer some of the slower moving items at cost, which could create an opportunity for club projects. Thank you all for everything you’re doing. It’s making a big difference.
We begin 2012 with exciting news. You are all doing a phenomenal job of giving the gift of Rotary by bringing service-minded friends, relatives, business leaders and professionals into our great organization. Membership is up, attrition is down and retention has improved. The Rotary eClub is filing their paperwork with RI and soon we will have an additional 25+ Rotarians who reside all over the United States and world. Please continue to suggest the eClub option to members who are resigning due to changes in their personal circumstances that are beyond their control. Thank you for helping us keep great Rotarians in Rotary by supporting this flexible kind of Rotary club.
If someone has a desire to help make the world a better place, chances are their passions are represented in at least one of Rotary’s six areas of focus:
- Peace and conflict prevention/resolution
- Disease prevention and treatment
- Water and sanitation
- Maternal and child health
- Basic education and literacy
- Economic and community development
After reading A Century of Service the story of the first 100 years of Rotary, I was left with a sense of hope and the belief that peace may be a reality in our future. The mission of Rotary is at the heart of this hope. Addressing all six interrelated areas just may increase our chances for world peace, and providing clean water may be at the start. Paul Harris said, “This is a changing world; we must be prepared to change with it.” Tell potential members about the work we are doing in these six areas and chances are they will want to be involved.
As you read this message we may have reached our $200 million Bill and Melinda Gates challenge. These efforts have inspired others to help the cause and finish the promise to eradicate this horrible disease from the World. Realize this: we’ve stopped wars to vaccinate the children of the world. More importantly, we have established a level of trust and respect with other organizations that will help our efforts moving forward in the six areas of focus. There is light at the end of the tunnel and Rotarians know how to turn vision into reality.
In 2011 we have witnessed over 25 separate disasters, earthquakes, tsunamis, tornados, tropical storms and flooding which continue to devastate areas throughout the world. Your personal contributions and efforts through Rotary partners like ShelterBox have made a difference to millions of people and families in need. It really makes you feel good knowing you have helped someone you may never even meet.
Valerie and I know that there are many Rotarians in our district that have lost loved ones this year, and many just recently. We wish there was something we could do or say to help ease the pain you’re feeling right now. These losses make it difficult to smile, laugh and be who we are normally. However, remembering great times we had and all the laughs we shared with these wonderful individuals might just bring a smile to our faces, even now.
I bet you’re ready for the typical New Year resolutions, right? I have just one: I want to be all that I can be. Val and I thank you for allowing us the opportunity to fulfill our dreams.
Happy New Year!
Greg and Valerie Owen
District Governor and First Lady
