District Governer 2008–09
Rotary Shares
Dear Rotarians, friends all,
Two years ago I made a commitment to be your Governor in 2008-2009, and I am thrilled, because it has given me the time to meet so many of you; to appreciate and build on the past work of many wonderful Rotarians; and above all, to help shape our District’s future. I have said to many of you what a profound experience it has been already… getting to know you, learning about you and building relationships. Often I attend meetings and the most fabulous ideas just roll out from those present. Before I know it, we have a service idea that has blossomed into a full project or has tweaked an old one. It is an inspirational and almost spiritual feeling, it is so good.
The PRESIDENTIAL CITATION criteria are a menu of service ideas that every Rotarian and Club can grab and build on to offer significant opportunities to people in need in the whole of our world. Our RI President D. K. Lee has asked us to shape our projects this year around those emphases that we have addressed for a number of years already: water, health, hunger, literacy, peace and polio to MAKE DREAMS REAL for the 30,000 children under the age of five years who die every day from preventable causes. In my early meetings with you, all presidents in District 9450 have committed to achieve PRESIDENTIAL CITATIONS.
“How can we do this together?” I ask myself, as I know how busy and committed Rotarians and their families already are, having now visited most of the District 9450 clubs, and traveled to the country, attending meetings with regional and remote clubs too. This has really helped my understanding of the demands that burgeoning business and industrial growth have on our current and potential members and re-enforced the fact that to attract and retain members for Rotary, we must first welcome newcomers and make them feel wanted, needed and part of the “club family.” From that foundation of shared understanding and mutual commitment, a relationship culminating in loyalty to Rotary will develop. From there we will be as “servants above self.”
In order to assist Rotarians and clubs, a new District structure is being instituted, as with the Club Leadership Plan. We will trial a new District Board composition which will include the District Directors of Membership, Leadership, Training, Public Relations, Extension and other executive functions as before. The aim, of course, is to work through the same issues as the clubs in this updated leadership structure.
Two new Assistant Governors (AG) have been added as I believe that there are many opportunities for Rotary to serve if we give more attention to the country, regional and remote areas of Western Australia. The 10 AG’s will each have a special portfolio including, among others, “achieving a Presidential Citation”, “dignity in Rotary ceremonies”, “retention of members”, “strategic planning,” “project design”, “art and practice of community service,” “development of new clubs”. Each AG will be available not only to their “own” clubs but also will be able to advise on their portfolio.
There will be several new initiatives around SustainABILITY focusing on our planet, humanity and Rotary in which I will draw our aim towards turning carbon emissions into trees. I will invite an Indigenous person or a person who has substantial knowledge and experience of indigenous culture to join the District Team to guide us as we develop projects to address the myriad of factors that will assist in MAKING DREAMS REAL for children.
There are many industrial impacts with which Rotary must become involved. It is known that the current work model of “flyin-flyout” is affecting the fabric of our communities. Rotarians have the wherewithal to engage with industry, with families, children and projects that will address these strains in our communities.
The Strategic Plan and Membership Plan already underway will be enhanced and developed to extend to new clubs, satellite clubs and ‘clubs within clubs’ that will draw on sections of our wider community, such as younger people, women, immigrants, indigenous people, industrial giants, new professions or new businesses. These new Rotarians will be identified from our leadership events, networking opportunities, and partnerships with universities, community organizations and local governments. The John Curtin Leadership Academy, The Rotary Leadership Institute and the Rotary Community Corps will extend and develop us even more.
This year I seek your support for the initiative that I have undertaken to move our District Conference, after 81 years, from an Autumn to a Spring conference. I did this for sound reasons: firstly, because of the new partnerships that we have been able to form with other organizations in the community; secondly, because market research and your feedback made me aware of the Spring option and its advantages, and thirdly, because in a changing world we must change — dare to be different and test the boundaries — to be and to remain relevant.
I invite you to come and sincerely hope that you will attend…
The Rotary Community Conference 2008-09
The theme SustainABILITY: Our Planet, Our People, Our Future
Joondalup Reception Centre, 24th-26th October 2008
Our website that was re-developed this year will continue to grow as we induct new members whose daily lives are shaped by their use of electronic tools. Our members will hopefully become familiar and attached to the club and district websites which enhance so many clubs’ activities already. Think of how many make-ups could be done, transient members retained, holidaying members connected and interested by electronic means.
Whether it’s the box, the square, the circle, tradition or whatever we need to think outside, I ask every Rotarian in District 9450 to do so. To commit to engagement to be a Rotarian with Rotary in your heart and to join together to MAKE DREAMS REAL, as there has never been a greater need or a more important time for us to make a difference.
Thank you for your trust. John and I look forward to this wonderful year’s work with you.
Let’s all dare to MAKE DREAMS REAL! The rewards will be yours and those we help.
Yours in Rotary
Sue Rowell
District Governor 2008–2009
District Governor Sue Rowell
Biography
Sue was born in Florence, South Carolina, grew up in a crossroads outside Florence and was educated in a small country school until the family moved on down the road to Marion where she did her secondary schooling.
She graduated from the College of Charleston (South Carolina) with a Bachelor of Science and subsequently from Florida State University with a Master of Social Work. Sue’s husband, (now deceased) also a teacher and social worker, was recruited by the W.A. Government to come to Perth as a social worker in 1975.
Sue’s career spanned a breadth of work in welfare, education, mental health, health, disability, hospitals and community agencies. She was a social worker at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and then moved to Princess Margaret Hospital as Chief Social Worker. She was instrumental in amalgamating Princess Margaret (Children’s) and King Edward Memorial (Women‘s) Hospitals and became the Director of Allied Health Services across the two sites. During the 10 years in this position, Sue found her career interesting, challenging, exciting and fulfilling. She led her dynamic team of “allieds” — those services such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, nutrition and dietetics, speech therapy, social work and numerous other clinical support services — through many changes and growth. She also was a leader in developing state, national as well as international alliances of allied health and was a driving force in the recognition of the WA allied health services.
Sue continues to be active professionally in social work, allied health and community organizations. She undertakes private consultation with agencies about organizational management and development, staff coaching and mentoring and client services, among other matters.
Sue joined the Rotary Club of Mt Lawley in 1996, having been inspired by her brother who is a member and Past President of the Rotary Club of Marion (South Carolina).
In 1999 Sue became the President of the Rotary Club of Mt Lawley. She has served in the four avenues of service with the club. Her favorite year in the club was when she was President when her primary goal was to ensure that members had fun and fellowship in service to the extent that Rotary was their favorite extra-curriculum event of their week! Her most dynamic time was the four years that the club ran the internationally appreciated Kinetic Sculpture Race.
Sue has been honoured by the Rotary Club of Mt Lawley as a Paul Harris Fellow.
Sue lives in North Beach. She has two children, Anna, who is married to Travis Hamersley and her son, Padgett Rowell, partnered with Anita Stevens.
Sue’s Rotary partner is John Livingstone of Padbury. John works in the mining industry in the engineering trades and his passion is sport, especially Rugby League.
Learn more about our Office Bearers.
Rotary Shares
The Rotary theme for this year is Rotary Shares, which is fundamental to the prosperity of life!
Polio Plus
Rotary International is best known for it’s Polio Plus program which has all but eradicated Polio from the world! This is an ongoing challenge which is being fought constantly.
