DISTRICT GOVERNOR LINDA YOUNG – AUGUST 4, 2016
District 7430 Governor Linda Young was the speaker at the August 4, 2016 meeting of Emmaus Rotary Club. DG Linda focused on three themes during her presentation: Membership, The Rotary Foundation and Service.
On membership, Linda began with her story of joining the Quakertown Rotary Club. Her boss was invited to join, but had other commitments. So, Linda joined instead. It was at the Quakertown Club that Linda learned about Rotaplast and the seed was planted for her future commitment to help those with cleft lips and palates. In 2007, Linda became a charter member of the Saucon/Center Valley Rotary Club and learned from the ground up what it takes for a new club to be successful. Linda has established two goals for membership during 2016-2017: Increase net membership in the district by 100 members and start two new clubs. Linda challenged Emmaus Rotary Club to grow its net membership by six this year. She also reminded us that Rotary is all about relationships and to ask our friends and colleagues “Why aren’t you a Rotarian?”
Linda explained that 2016-2017 is the Centennial Anniversary of The Rotary Foundation. She reminded us of the Foundation’s high ratings by Charity Navigator and of the tremendous work the Foundation has done in recent years to eradicate polio. Linda is planning a spring event to celebrate the Centennial. Stay tuned for more details! Linda’s three goals related to the Foundation this year are: (1) To honor of the Foundation’s Centennial, every member in District 7430 club is asked to give at least $26.50 to the Foundation (this was the amount of the first contribution to the Foundation in 1916); (2) Increase District 7430 contributions to the Foundation’s Annual Fund by 10%; (3) Donations of at least $1,500 to Polio Plus by every District 7430 club.
Regarding service, Linda told the story of her participation on a Rotaplast mission to Venezuela in 2008. She explained how children and adults afflicted with cleft lips and palates are ostracized and mocked. Affected children often drop out of school and many suffer other health problems because of their condition. Linda also spoke of the amazing level of trust that mothers place on complete strangers to help their children and of the 67 year old man who was so happy with the results of his surgery that he kissed everyone in sight. During her 2008 mission, Venezuela and Colombia were at war and flights of military aircraft were zooming overhead. Despite the difficult conditions, Linda said she felt calm and knew she was involved in something deeply meaningful. It was on that mission, she realized a simple, but profound truth: we are all the same. We all want what is best for our children. We all want to have a better life for ourselves and our families. And she realized her Rotary service – whether at home or on a mission to Venezuela – was helping those most in need to heal and live a better life, fostering peace and understanding in a troubled world. After that inspiring story,Linda ended her presentation with a challenge for all of us to be “MAD.” Pointing at the banner promoting this year’s district conference, Linda challenged us all to Make A Difference!