William R. “Bob” Stetter
District Governor 2007-2008

Dear District 5630 Rotarians:

As we begin a new Rotary year we have the opportunity to make Rotary Year 2007 – 2008 the best year ever for District 5630. This should be our goal.

President Wilfred Wilkinson, in his speech at the 2007 International Assembly in San Diego, stated that he planned to continue the emphases of water, health and hunger and literacy that has been in the forefront of Rotary’s efforts for several years. I, too, plan to continue this emphasis at the district level as it has been in the past. 

More importantly, my emphasis this year will be on membership. Quoting President Wilf in his speech at the International Assembly in San Diego, “No matter how many our successes, unless we continue to gain new members – and keep the ones we have – Rotary will not survive. Without new members, nothing else matters. Because however good our work, however valuable and vital, without new members it will take only a few decades for Rotary to disappear.”

My fellow Rotarians, when I see the words from the Rotary International President that “Rotary will not survive” and “it will take only a few decades for Rotary to disappear”, it gets my utmost, attention.

District membership numbers are down from a high of 1,442 in July 2003. With this in mind, we must bring our membership numbers up and continue them on a positive trend. It is my goal to increase District 5630’s membership a net of 5% for the Rotary year. It is also my goal for over one-half of the clubs in District 5630 to qualify for the Presidential Citation and over one-half of the club presidents to set a good example and sponsor a new member. With your help, these important goals can be achieved.

As President Wilf states, “Rotary gives us the opportunity as ordinary people to do extraordinary things.” I believe we are extraordinary people because we are Rotarians. At the end of the Rotary year, let’s all be able to look back and say, “JOB WELL DONE”. “We are proud to be ROTARIANS.”

Yours for ROTARY-ROTARY SHARES
William R. “Bob” Stetter
District Governor, 2007-2008

2007-2008 RI Theme
“Rotary Shares”