District Governor's Message
By: DG Bob MacKenzie, Kennebunk RC
Happy March, everyone! For those of you looking forward to Spring -- I’m one of them -- it is within our sights, arriving on March 20th! As our daylight becomes longer and we start to feel the sun becoming warmer, let’s hope for better days ahead and enjoy the new beginnings that Spring brings to nature.I know this may feel difficult for many given the unpredictability of our state(s), country and world, but try to stay positive, focus on what we can control and remember our mission in Rotary: We provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through our fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.
Rotarians will continue to make a difference in our world in many ways. Our March focus is Water & Sanitation, essential for human life. We can take this for granted as we have the luxury of having clean, disease- free water to drink. I only know second hand the impact that Rotary has worldwide, such as clubs receiving grants to build filtration systems in order to bring clean water to developing countries. I’ve heard the stories from those who have traveled, members of my club, other clubs I have visited, and reading the Rotary Magazine. I know some of our Interact students have traveled to countries to do the same. It is something I have never experienced first-hand and hope to do so when I retire. I’ve thought about the impact, not only for those who benefit from clean drinking water and sanitation, but for those who traveled to do the work. I think of the generosity of Rotarians, the kindness they bring, the bridges they build to forge relationships into the future. I’ve thought about how they must have felt to have made an impact……
You all know we Rotarians go well beyond water & sanitation to make our world a better place. 1.4 million Rotarians in 46,000 clubs worldwide share a bond in making this world a better place for all. Please keep that in mind when/if you feel overwhelmed by the news because what we do brings goodwill to humans worldwide and kindness and love conquers all.